Baker Engineering and Michigan Economic Development Corporation Collaborate to Spur Economic Growth in West Michigan

by Mason Nichols | October 1, 2024 | News

MEDC grant program powers new business development at innovative tech firm

Baker Engineering, a leader in power, propulsion and advanced technology solutions for aerospace, defense industry companies and government-contracting agencies, announced today it has added staffing and innovative manufacturing and research equipment as a result of a state grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The company, which is owned by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribe, obtained two grants totaling $158,800 from the MEDC’s Tribal Business Development Program. The grants were used to purchase workstations, manufacturing tools, technology updates, laboratory equipment, software and hardware used for naval command operations, and a state-of-the-art dynamometer for high-performance engine testing. With the increased production capabilities, Baker Engineering secured contracts with new customers, including the U.S. Coast Guard, requiring the addition of two new staff members.

“As a small business competing in the global power and propulsion industry, we need the latest equipment to meet the needs of our customers. However, that equipment can be costly, so we’re grateful to receive these two grants from the MEDC’s Tribal Business Development Program. They were essential in helping us to add equipment and staff, and subsequently drive new business growth for our firm.”

Luke Wackerle

President, Baker Engineering

Baker Engineering is based in Nunica, Michigan, and was founded in 1965. It specializes in custom propulsion solutions for military and commercial manned and unmanned systems. The company performs research, design, testing and manufacturing of combustion engines. Baker was purchased by Waséyabek Development Company in 2018. Waséyabek is the non-gaming economic development company of the NHBP.

“We’re thrilled to see how these targeted grants were used to spur economic growth in the West Michigan region,” said Tom Durkee, Project Manager of the MEDC Tribal Business Development Program. “Our goal is to be a resource for Michigan’s federally recognized Tribes, supporting them as they pursue economic sustainability through business growth and diversification. Our Tribal partners and our state’s overall economic ecosystem benefit when we work together to promote entrepreneurship in Indian Country.”

“Economic development is powered by investment, and that’s exactly what the MEDC Tribal Business Development Program grants provided to this Tribally-owned company. Indian Country is fortunate to have the MEDC as a partner as Michigan Tribes work to build greater economic sustainability and prosperity in our state.”

Deidra Mitchell

President & CEO, Waséyabek

Tribal Economic Development: Episode 3 – Strategic Planning and Tribal Foundations Featuring DWH and Small Consulting Group

by Mason Nichols | June 27, 2024 | Podcasts, Tribal Economic Development

Tribal Economic Development: Episode 3 – Strategic Planning and Tribal Foundations Featuring DWH and Small Consulting Group

Ben Borisch, managing partner at DWH, and Bryan Small, CEO of Small Consulting Group and Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Tribal Member, join Tribal Economic Development to discuss the keys to developing and implementing a successful strategic plan in Indian Country. Topics covered include the importance of governance, the role values play in supporting your strategic plan, and the potential benefits of working with a third party throughout the process.

Waséyabek’s Portfolio Companies Target Bigger Share of Defense Industry Market at Annual Michigan Defense Expo

by Mason Nichols | April 22, 2024 | News

Providing Innovative Life–Cycle Solutions to Our Warfighters

Waséyabek Development Company, a leading economic development firm in Michigan’s Indian Country, will be out in force this week at the Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX) at Macomb Community College. During the event, the company will unveil Waséyabek Defense, a collection of Tribally owned small businesses providing deep expertise in new and innovative solutions for the military and other defense industry businesses. Four Waséyabek portfolio businesses, Baker Engineering, RSI Manufacturing, Safari Circuits, and recently acquired VES, make up Waséyabek Defense.

The annual expo known as MDEX is hosted by the Michigan Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and is promoted as a premier Department of Defense (DoD) buy/supplier event. Waséyabek Defense’s engagement in this year’s event reflects its strategic commitment to increase new revenues for its Tribal owners.

“Our overarching mission is to identify and optimize new non-gaming revenue streams for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi,” said Deidra Mitchell, President & CEO of Waséyabek. “Securing federal contracts with the Department of Defense and other suppliers in the defense industry is a key part of our business strategy.”

With strong operational bases in both Maryland and Michigan, VES is already a trusted provider of integrated software solutions for the DoD, and is aiming to broaden its market share.

“Now that Waséyabek is our majority owner, we’re looking to optimize new business opportunities in Michigan with other portfolio companies. MDEX provides us a great venue to do that.”

Matthew Vidovich

CEO, VES

Baker Engineering, based in Nunica, Michigan, also has experience serving customers in the defense industry, primarily providing power and propulsion engineering and prototyping solutions. The company has been focused on designing propulsion elements that are lighter in weight and deliver greater range for military operations.

RSI Manufacturing of Muskegon, Michigan, and Safari Circuits, based in Otsego, Michigan, will be showcasing their engineering and manufacturing services at MDEX for the first time.

“We’re thrilled to have Waséyabek Defense at MDEX 2024,” said Misty Martin, NDIA Board Member and Chair of MDEX. “This event is critical because it facilitates direct conversations between DoD and defense industry leaders and the designers and engineers behind the industry’s latest cutting-edge technologies.”

“We’ve spent the past couple of years building out our portfolio to target the defense industry and federal contracting space. We’re now ready to provide a full set of life-cycle solutions to warfighters, regardless of the scale of the project.”

Bethany Harris

President, Waséyabek Federal Group

MDEX takes place April 23-25 at the Macomb Community College Expo Center at 14500 E. Twelve Mile Road in Warren. Waséyabek Defense companies will be stationed in booths H3-H8.

Harvard University Extends Honor to Leader of Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi

by Mason Nichols | April 12, 2024 | News

Harvard’s Kennedy School also extends speaking invitation to Waséyabek Development Company leader

Jamie Stuck, Chairperson of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribe, joined a list of historical leaders as he was welcomed as a visiting dignitary by Harvard University and invited to sign the University’s Guest Book. The book contains hand-written signatures and messages from numerous distinguished leaders of many different nationalities, backgrounds, and beliefs including South African President Nelson Mandela, German President Angela Merkel, and Congressman John Lewis.

“To walk in the footsteps of world leaders and add the name of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi to this book was a tremendous honor for me as I represented our Tribal ancestors, current elders, and our brothers, sisters, children, and grandchildren. We’re the sixth Indigenous Tribe to sign this book in the past year, reflecting a tidal shift in recognizing Native American sovereignty and equality at Harvard University and throughout the United States.”

Jamie Stuck

Tribal Council Chair, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi

Harvard University regularly invites distinguished leaders to visit the campus and speak to classes, advancing educational enrichment for its students and furthering the impact of its curriculum.

“This invitation represents yet another important recognition for Indigenous people in this country,” said NHBP Tribal Council Vice Chairperson, Dorie Rios. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to be included in this historical ledger and share our proud and prosperous story with faculty, students, and visitors at this long-standing academic institution.”

In addition to Chairperson Stuck’s and Vice-Chairperson Rios’ visit, the leader of the NHBP economic development company spoke to faculty and students at the Harvard Kennedy School. Waséyabek Development Company President and CEO, Deidra Mitchell, provided insights to the Nation Building II: Native Americans in the Twenty-First Century class, headed up by Eric Henson, Director of the Ittapila Program for Nation Building and Outreach at Harvard. It’s the second consecutive year that Mitchell has addressed students at the university.

“It was a terrific experience. The students and faculty were welcoming and engaged which made for a compelling discussion about the realities facing Indigenous populations as they work to preserve their sovereignty and way of life. Harvard is fortunate to have someone with Professor Henson’s insights leading this important topic.”

Deidra Mitchell

President & CEO, Waséyabek Development Company

Professor Henson is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and since 1998 has been working with the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development (formerly known as the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development).

“The Waséyabek team has set the standard when it comes to incorporating the principals of the Harvard Project,” said Eric Henson. “The practices they employ in their strategic planning, work culture, and business development have taken root and resulted in tremendous growth and organizational success.”

Waséyabek is among the largest Native American non-gaming economic development companies in Michigan. Its portfolio now includes more than 30 business entities, including manufacturing, defense industry software integration, environmental solutions, real estate management, and transportation. Altogether, the portfolio companies employ more than 500 people, and are located throughout the contiguous United States.

Tribal Economic Development: Episode 2 – Looking Back, Looking Forward: A Conversation with Chairman Jamie Stuck

by Mason Nichols | April 3, 2024 | Podcasts, Tribal Economic Development

Tribal Economic Development: Episode 2 – Looking Back, Looking Forward: A Conversation with Chairman Jamie Stuck

Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribal Council Chair Jamie Stuck joins Tribal Economic Development to discuss an array of topics, including everything from lessons learned during the deployment of Skasgé Power in Waséyabek’s early days to what the future of economic development looks like for Waséyabek, the NHBP Tribe, and other Tribal communities throughout Michigan.

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