It is the mission of the Catawba Indian Nation Economic Development Department to promote economic growth through the development of economic strategies and programs. These programs include, but are not limited to tourism, agriculture, gaming, retail, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, vocational assistance, and community involvement. The Economic Development Department will endeavor to develop a sustainable economic base that allows and enables the Nation to become self-sufficient and self-sustaining in order to provide for its own without outside assistance. The goal of the Economic Development Department is to be a major contributor to the Tribal, local, and regional economies through initiatives that create quality jobs and expand revenues, thereby benefitting both the Catawba Nation and the broader community.
The Economic Development Department is committed to helping tribal members become self-sustainable by taking a personalized approach in helping them explore their career and education options. We provide a wide variety of services to the Catawba community, including: job opportunities, business plan development, resume assistance, scholarship offerings, partnership trainings, and more. For the most recent updates and news, follow us on Facebook.
Services Provided
If you are interested in learning more or participating in any of the services detailed below, reach out to Tiffany Moore ([email protected]) or Michael Guidry ([email protected]) today for more information.
Job Opportunities: The Economic Development Team receives a steady stream of information from local partners regarding available jobs both on and off the reservation. These listings are shared through the department’s main channels of communication, such as Facebook. Job postings are vetted for legitimacy and shared immediately upon their confirmation. Providing the Catawba community with further career developments is central to our organization.
Business Plan Development: Business owners who find themselves at any stage of the entrepreneurial process may reach out to the Economic Development Department for assistance with a number of related topics to running a business. Our team is prepared to aid in the development or editing of business plans, as well as provide feedback on marketing strategies, financing options, and more.
Resume Asistance: Our team is happy to provide feedback on existing resumes or assist with the development of a new resume for any tribal citizen looking to advance or begin their careers.
Scholarship Offerings: Students in the Catawba community are able to apply for various forms of financial aid through our department. Most prominent would be the Catawba Indian Nation Scholarship. For the complete application information for 2025-2026 academic year may be found here.
Partnership Trainings: The Economic Development Department is always looking for companies to align with our On-the-Job Training Program that we provide to Catawba citizens.
Land Available for Economic Development
Catawba Nation currently has land available for economic development. The information below provides a summary of this land, followed by details in regards to the benefits our business partners enjoy. We are always looking to form new partnerships and utilize the land for our community.
Click for a map of our "Green Earth" Land
Details and advantages:
- Located on I-77, exit # 79, 5 miles from the interstate
- ~126-acre contiguous tract on Reservation land
- 30 miles to Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- City of Rock Hill water and sewer services
- An archaeological investigation has been completed. There were no significant findings, and this land is approved for development.
For more information, contact:
Tiffany Moore, Economic Development Director
(803)366-4792, ext. 242
[email protected]
Tax and Investment Benefit Survey
An Overview of Tax Advantages Available to the Catawba Nation and its Business Partners: Download Tax Benefit Study
Foreign Trade Zone or Enterprise Zone
Reservation land is eligible for consideration to become an enterprise zone or general purpose foreign trade zone (as referenced in Public Law 103-116). Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or regulation, the Nation shall be eligible to become, sponsor, and operate (1) an "enterprise zone" pursuant to title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 (42 U.S.C. 11501-11505) or any other applicable Federal (or State) laws or regulations; or (2) a "foreign-trade zone" or "subzone" pursuant to the Foreign Trade Zones Act of 1934, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u) and the regulations thereunder, to the same extent as other federally recognized Indian Tribes.
HUBZone Designation
The Catawba Indian Nation is designated as a HUBZone. Click here for verification. The HUBZone Program stimulates economic development and creates jobs in urban and rural communities by providing Federal contracting preferences to small businesses. These preferences go to small businesses that obtain HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) certification in part by employing staff who live in a HUBZone. The company must also maintain a "principal office" in one of these specially designated areas. &40;A principal office can be different from a company headquarters.&41;Read more here >>
8(a) Status
The 8(a) Program is a business development program that uses federal prime contracts as a tool to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the market place. The focus of the program is to provide a broad range of business development support, such as mentoring, procurement assistance, training, financial assistance, and other management and technical assistance. The goal, however, is to prepare small disadvantaged firms for procurement and other business opportunities. Read more here about this special status for Native American companies through the Small Business Administration.
Other Reservation Land
Our 710-acre parcel of trust land, which is located off Reservation Road, is not available for economic development.