U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.6 Million to Strengthen the Food Processing Industry on the Leech Lake Reservation in Minnesota

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.6 million grant to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in Cass Lake, Minnesota, to support the Tribe's wild rice production industry.

This grant will construct a 6,100-square-foot rice processing facility on Tribal land that would enable the processing of wild rice, Leech Lake's only commercially produced product. This EDA investment is expected to create 15 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

"The Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America Agenda is committed to supporting Tribal communities' work to build strong, diversified economies," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "This EDA investment will create new jobs at the Leech Lake Reservation, boosting the Leech Lake Band's rice production industry and strengthening its economic resilience."

"The U.S. Economic Development Administration is proud to partner with Tribal Nations as they work to strengthen their economies," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. "This project will empower the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to process its own wild rice and open additional business opportunities."

"Wild rice is a sacred part of Leech Lake's culture and a key resource for Tribal members and the Tribal economy," said Senator Tina Smith, member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. "This grant will help the Leech Lake Band promote the welfare of its members."

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Regional 5 Development Commission (R5DC). EDA funds R5DC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Actas a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA's Disaster Supplemental webpagefor more information.