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BENTON HARBOR, Mich., (October 19, 2022) – The Women’s Business Center (WBC) at Cornerstone Alliance recently announced a partnership with Chi Ishobak, Inc.

The WBC is the leading regional provider of technical, business, and financial assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs. In partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the WBC places an emphasis on assisting women, people of color, veterans, and socially or economically disadvantaged individuals.

Chi Ishobak, Inc., promotes the improvement of the financial capacity of all Tribal members by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence that they need to make informed judgments and to make effective decisions with respect to their current and future personal and household circumstances.

"The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance is excited to announce the partnership with Chi Ishobak, Inc., in support of native entrepreneurs by providing technical assistance that will enable them to secure much needed capital to start and grow their businesses," said Kristen Patzer, Director of the WBC.

This partnership acts as a referral program, sending Tribal Citizens to the WBC to prepare them with necessary business materials prior to requesting a loan. The WBC will provide free one-on-one business counseling to assist aspiring entrepreneurs with business plan creation and more.

By building capacity for Tribal Citizens, Chi Ishobak, Inc., is helping rebuild the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi as well as Indian Country into supportive and nurturing communities, strong in language and culture.

"I cannot express how excited Chi Ishobak, Inc. is to partner with Cornerstone Alliance and the Women’s Business Center to provide Small Business Development assistance to tribal entrepreneurs," said Sean Winters, Chi Ishobak, Inc., Executive Director. "The high-level of expertise, experience, and resource the WBC brings to Chi Ishobak’s Commercial Loan Program contributes another layer of opportunity for both start-up and existing Native-owned businesses."