The Overall Mission of REDCO is to bring continuity in economic development and planning to the Rosebud Reservation.
REDCO is a politically neutral entity whose main function is to promote the best and fullest utilization of Reservation resources and tribal income. REDCO's specific purpose is to plan, implement and manage economic development on the Rosebud Reservation, and to serve as the key to all future economic development.
Through sensitive utilization of natural and human resources, and considering the wishes of the people, REDCO was chartered to stimulate economic development to create job opportunities on the Rosebud Reservation. Its goals include developing a strong management and financial system to promote the growth of tribal enterprises; strengthening linkages between existing resources in the community; sponsorship and technical assistance to planned enterprises; and collaboration with off-reservation business entities. REDCO's ultimate mission is to foster economic change by transforming the current grant and aid economy into a sustainable primary business sector economy.
REDCO's final goal is simply to create more jobs for Tribal members by economic development. At the same time, careful consideration must be given to any proposed development to make sure that our cultural values and environment are not compromised. It makes sense to take the trouble to ensure that the decisions we make today will result in a viable and healthy future.
Economic & Community Development means finding the right projects and enterprises to sponsor, determining whether the projects are "do-able," then finding ways to fund them. This can include economic and demographic analysis, cultural and resource evaluation, goal-setting, strategic planning and financing.
After planning comes the challenge of training enterprise managers to run businesses by providing the tools and support needed to succeed. Technical Assistance is available to any tribal member who wants to do business. Help with marketing research, business plans, and funding sources is available.
In cooperation with other Tribal entities, REDCO provides Education and Outreach on reservation economics in partnership with Sinte Gleska University. REDCO hopes to mobilize participation in the economic process by sponsoring a diverse selection of projects that many Tribal members can participate in.
REDCO collects data for a Planning Resource Library to centralize planning information on the reservation. To make good decisions about development, one must know exactly what already exists. REDCO hopes to spearhead the movement towards sustainable development and comprehensive land use planning to make sure that what we have now is available for the generations to come.
Planning is the key to implementing the wishes, hopes and aspirations of the people. Each community member has something to bring to the table by getting involved in the decision-making process. We hope to hear from you. Share with us your vision of the future.