Two Oklahoma tribes are among 20 tribes nationwide that will share more than $947,000 in business development grants.
The grants announced Tuesday by acting assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Lawrence Roberts includes $55,000 to the Osage Nation of Oklahoma and $38,861 to the Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.
The Osage is to use the funding to study the feasibility of operating an Osage Tulsa Airpark while the Tonkawa are to study developing a recreational vehicle park.
The grants from the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development's Native American Business Development Institute are to be used to evaluate and identify viable economic opportunities for tribal communities.
The grants are awarded based on a proposal's potential to create jobs for tribal members and to stimulate economies in Native American communities.