(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) announced grants totaling $430,988 to support economic development projects for five rural tribes in Washington state. The grants, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of Rural Development, will allow for training and expansion to attract government and hi-tech contractors to businesses run by the Colville Confederated Tribes, the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, the Quinault Indian Nation, the Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Makah Indian Nation.

"Rural, Native American communities face special challenges in combating unemployment and slow economic growth," Murray said. "I am delighted that these grants will help working families to expand and renew their businesses and in turn strengthen entire communities."

Senator Murray worked to obtain and increase funding for these grants through her role on the U.S. Senate's Committee on Appropriations. Last year Senator Murray cosponsored an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations Bill to double funds for tribal programs within the USDA Rural Development Program.

The breakdown of the U.S. Department of Agriculture grants follows:

• The Nisqually Tribe, $172,420 to develop and implement a small business training program.
  
  
• The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, $93,298 to develop a training and employment center in cooperation with Peninsula Community College.
  
  
• The Colville Confederated Tribes, $65,270 to provide specialized technical assistance to 32 small business in the region.
  
  
• The Quinault, $50,000 to conduct a study on augmenting the existing seafood industry.
  
  
• The Makah Indian Nation, $50,000 to develop a revitalization plan for downtown Neah Bay.