TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation will hold a contractor and employment fair on Wednesday, March 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa.
“Two things bring us to Greenwood this week,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. “First, my Executive Order on Equality directs us to engage with historically underrepresented communities. Second, we are in the midst of the largest building boom and program expansion in Cherokee Nation history, and we need all hands on deck.”
Wednesday’s event will feature staff from:
- Cherokee Nation Commerce / Small Business Assistance Center
- Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation
- Cherokee Nation Procurement
- Cherokee Nation (Tribal Employment Rights Office) TERO
- Cherokee Nation Career Services
- Cherokee Nation Human Resources
- Cherokee Nation Businesses Human Resources
- Cherokee Nation College Resources
Attendees will learn how to do business and gain employment with Cherokee Nation and its entities, including its business arm Cherokee Nation Businesses.
Staff will make special presentations throughout the day, including “Construction Procurement” at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. with Jon Asbill, Senior Administrator of Construction. Shay Stanfill of Cherokee Nation’s Commerce Department will present on “Cherokee Nation’s $86 million SSBCI loan Fund,” at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Additions to the presentation schedule will be available at Cherokee Nation’s Facebook page.
In addition to opportunities through our massive investment in housing, health care and education capital projects, we will administer over $80 million in small business loans over the next decade,” said Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. “Opportunities for contractors, vendors and the whole range of entrepreneurs abound.”
Cherokee Nation’s $1.2 billion capital projects portfolio includes a variety of projects, such as health centers, a new hospital, wellness centers, community centers and the largest investment in affordable housing in the tribe’s history.
Upcoming capital projects in the north Tulsa area include nearly $2 million in affordable housing and a $2 million community center.
Tribal leaders say north Tulsa can expect more investment by Cherokee Nation in north Tulsa in the coming years.
“Quite simply this is part of the Cherokee Nation Reservation,” said Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan. “Like so many areas of our reservation, north Tulsa presents opportunities to engage the community and explore ways to expand access to services, grow the economy and improve the quality of life.”
Programs represented at Wednesday’s Contractor and Career Fair can also be accessed at the tribe’s main website www.cherokee.org
Greenwood Cultural Center is located at 322 N. Greenwood.