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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation will host a business development workshop on Tuesday, June 4, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The workshop, presented by the Oklahoma Native American Business Development Center (ONABDC), will cover tips on preparing a good business plan and obtaining funding for minority owned businesses.

"To get a loan or a grant for a business, you have to have a good business plan", said Robert Walker, project director with The Oklahoma Native American Business Development Center. "The bank or lender wants to know where you plan to go with your business."

The ONABDC is a non-profit organization funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the Minority Business Development Agency. The ONABDC helps Native American business owners start a new or expand an existing business. Their services are free of charge. Their office is in Tulsa, however, they do present workshops at the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex twice a year.

"There are lenders out there who want to lend money to Indians to start a business, and we can help put small business owners in touch with these lenders", Walker said.

"Anyone who is interested in starting their own business should come", said Melissa Young, financial resource development officer for the Cherokee Nation.

This workshop is open to the public. It will be held in the Council Chambers of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex in Tahlequah. For more information contact the Cherokee Nation Commerce Group, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2939) or 1-800-256-0671 (ext.2939).