MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR LAC DU FLAMBEAU PARCEL: There was much success in developing infrastructure this past year. Engineering plans are finished for water & sewer expansion for two new subdivisions and to replace failing septic in another. A downtown water line has been replaced. Road plans are finished for East Pokegama Lake Subdivision. Engineering plans were completed for Potts Bay Subdivision to be bid in February of 2000. Joe Chosa Road was black topped for the first time. Although federal funding was denied for a savings program, the LdF Tribe gave money to LdF Industries, Inc., a nonprofit corporate partner, to administer a low income savings program matching saving program. Progress on an agricultural farm has been substantial for a business development. The feasibility and business plan has been completed, a site chosen, a site plan, and 2 acres of strawberries planted. The Reservation Resource Service Center for job training and entrepreneurial services is now ready to bid for an architect. The concept and plan is developed, funding from several different sources attained. Construction will be in 2000.

• UW Extension - provided technical assistance, educational programs, community input processes and community surveys.
• Bureau of Indian Affairs - provided engineering services and grant of $120,000 for new road; a survey/engineering grant of $80,000 for new subdivisions & road design Wisconsin.
• Department of Transportation- $500,000 grant/loan for Trail System in Manitowish Waters.
• Indian Health Service - provided engineering drawings for water & sewer expansion and technical assistance at all 12 subdivision planning meetings.
• M&I Bank - several meetings and commitment to expand services to locate in the Reservation Resource Service Center. Will provide equipment for full service bank.
• LdF Industries, Inc. - taking the lead on coordinating a matched savings program for low-income persons.
• Coleman Engineering- volunteer company that educates and includes 6th grade students on the subdivision planning process.
• HUD - provided $20,000 of economic development money for matched saving program. Also, $103,221 grant for RRSC project.
• Rural Development (USDA)- Community Facility Program $25,000 grant and $196,000 loan and $75,000 RBEG grant for new RRSC benchmark. NRCS - $25,000 Grant for farm development Lumberjack RC&D - $9,000 grant for farm plans Lac du Flambeau Tribe- $50,000 for matched savings program and $100,000 earmarked for cash in-kind for RRSC benchmark.
• Lac du Flambeau Chamber of Commerce - collaboration & commitment to locate in RRSC building.
• LdF Water & Sewer Department- in-kind staff time for helping plan water & sewer expansion Wisconsin Counties Association - partnering on marketing the zone to outside investors and business potential.

PROBLEMS AND OBSTACLES - LAC DU FLAMBEAU PARCEL: To the present date we have not received any seed money for funding. The process of receiving funds is not clearly defined and requirements were issued in a piece meal fashion. We were told that once we signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) we would receive 10% ($25,000) of our EC funding to get us started. Instead, we were told, "now you need to sign a financial MOU that requires all benchmarks to be entered and approved as well as approved Financial Policies and Procedures". Will there be something else that is required before we can receive funding? It would be nice to be able to look at a document that tells us what exactly what is needed in order to receive funding.

Set asides and tax credit incentives are still not clearly defined and Round II EC's have been omitted from IRS Publication 954. This makes it difficult to leverage dollars and attract new businesses and partners in working with the Northwoods NiiJii Enterprise Community. It is taking more time than expected to develop trust with developable site partners because of the lack of business incentives, set aside (earmarked) dollars, as well cultural differences in a diversified zone.

Benchmark reporting system is user friendly but cumbersome to enter benchmarks. After 15 minutes of no activity you are disconnected from the system. This is a problem because sometimes a person does get called away from the computer and should not have to lose what has been entered; we should have the option of staying connected. Much staff time has been given to try to overcome the geographic distance between our reservations and developable sites. There is low participation in the matched savings program initiated by the Lac du Flambeau Tribe.

SOLUTIONS - LAC DU FLAMBEAU PARCEL: USDA needs to find out and clarify for us where the set asides are and find out more about tax incentives for Round II. We have begun advertising for an Executive Director so a central administrative office can be established as soon as we get the funding for such. Regular meetings with developable site partners will continue focusing on benchmark completion. We also have plans to increase board membership to increase citizen participation in active decision-making. The education and marketing of the matched savings program will enhance and moved to the RRSC building where One Stop financial assistance will be provided.

BEST PRACTICES - LAC DU FLAMBEAU PARCEL: Because we are new and learning as a board and community, we will have more experiences in best practices in the future. Because of our cultural uniqueness and differences we will be keeping tract of practices that will be beneficial. Circles of working groups tied together in a web works best in Indian country for benchmark development.

PLANS/PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE FOR LAC DU FLAMBEAU PARCEL: We are going to restructure/expand our Board of Directors and have a Board Retreat. We will implement formal sub-zone committees for benchmark development and more community input from low-income residents. We will hire an executive director and staff in the near future. We establish an administrative office. We will continue to work on existing benchmarks, evaluate progress and review. Reorganizing an ongoing advisory committee will be developed.