For nearly 35 years, the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin (AICCW) has supported and advocated for Indigenous-owned businesses statewide. Its origins are in Milwaukee, where “a group of founders noticed that Native American businesses needed advocacy and more resources to be able to start their businesses,” says executive director Heather Cloud.
and its headquarters is still there, but there’s been a concerted effort to reach the more rural communities.
“We’re working a lot on growth and outreach to the communities that are further away from the main office … building stronger partnerships and helping a lot of those people that are just about there to get them through,” Cloud says.
The AICCW started to do just that in 2018 with its Wisconsin Toolbox Tour, which Cloud describes as “a lot of networking, bringing resources to the people, bringing people to the resources as well.” The Chamber coordinated with state agencies to bring resources – and awareness of available resources – to tribal governments. The tour slowed during the COVID pandemic, but Cloud said the Chamber is gearing up to revive it.
The AICCW also partners with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to shepherd disadvantaged businesses through the process of securing state contracts – mostly related to highway construction – and acts as the bonding agent for those contracts.
Additionally, AICCW is what Cloud calls a “sister organization” of First American Capital Corporation (FACC), a nonprofit CDFI formed by the Chamber in 2002 to provide financing for Native-owned businesses across Wisconsin. FACC is in turn a part of the Wisconsin Indigenous Economic Development Corporation (WIEDC), a coalition of Native CDFIs which also includes First Nations Community Financial, Wisconsin Native Loan Fund and Woodland Financial Partners.
AICCW also performs an important role in advocacy for Native-owned businesses and the tribal business community at the tribal, municipal and state level.
“Advocacy can lead to capital and resources,” Cloud says.
Website: https://aiccw.org/
Address: 10710 W. Scharles Ave, Hales Corners
Phone: (414) 604-2044
