- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Native Contracting
Shawnee Tribe Development LLC, the enterprise division of the Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, has announced the formation of Shawnee Global LLC.
The new company will enter the federal contracting space through the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program, which offers a percentage of government bids to small businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans. The company will operate alongside Shawnee Development to diversify the tribe's economic portfolio, according to an announcement from the Shawnee Tribe.
The formation of Shawnee Global is “a catalyst for new economic growth and continued expansion” to build sustainable enterprises that bring value to the tribe and its members, according to a statement from Chris Floyd, president of the Shawnee Development board of managers.
The tribe has named Tyler Levier, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, as Shawnee Global's inaugural president and CEO. Chief Ben Barnes said the initiative aligns with the tribe's commitment to creating long-term growth and self-sufficiency for present and future generations.
Levier brings more than a decade of experience in Indian Country business, including 12 years as chief operating officer of Prairie Band LLC and eight years as CEO of Mill Creek, a tribally owned 8(a) business specializing in medical facility outfitting and equipment planning. Under Levier's leadership, Mill Creek formed a joint venture in July 2024 with Firelake Construction through the SBA 8(a) Mentor-Protégé program, winning several federal contracts. He holds an MBA from Friends University and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Haskell Indian Nations University.
Federal contracting has proven to be an attractive prospect for tribes hoping to diversify their revenue streams, per prior Tribal Business News reporting. The sector has become the second biggest revenue driver in Indian Country, just behind gaming, bringing in $23.3 billion in FY 2023.
Shawnee Global joins the tribe's existing economic ventures, including Shawnee Development and the Golden Mesa Casino in Guymon, Okla. The casino, which opened in 2019, is currently undergoing a $70 million expansion that will include a hotel, restaurant and enlarged gaming floor.
