Two Oklahoma Tribes Awarded Business Development Grants

Two Oklahoma tribes are among 20 tribes nationwide awarded business development grants.

According to acting assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Lawrence Roberts, the grants includes $55,000 to the Osage Nation and $38,861 to the Tonkawa Tribe.

The Osage say they will use the funds to study the feasibility of operating an Osage-Tulsa Airpark while the Tonkawa Tribe will conduct a study to develop a recreational vehicle park in Kay County.

The grants from the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development's Native American Business Development Institute are to be used to evaluate and identify viable economic opportunities for tribal communities.

The federal agency says these grants are awarded based on a proposal's potential to create jobs for tribal members and to stimulate economies in Native American communities.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.