Mason Nichols - Waséyabek

Waséyabek Development Company Becomes Majority Owner of West Michigan Environmental Engineering and Consulting Firm

by Mason Nichols | September 18, 2023 | News

Waséyabek Development Company Becomes Majority Owner of BLDI

Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC), a leading economic development firm in Michigan’s Indian Country, announced today it has become the majority owner of BLDI, LLC, an innovative environmental engineering, consulting and remediation firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. WDC is the non-gaming economic development company of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribe based in southwest Michigan.

BLDI’s staff of engineers, geologists, scientists and business professionals is focused on providing high-quality, cost-effective environmental services throughout the Midwest. The company’s services include environmental due diligence and risk assessment; Phase 1 & Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments; PFAS testing and remediation; underground storage tank assessment, removal and corrective actions; asbestos surveys; brownfield assessment grants, cleanup, remediation and closure; soil sampling; vapor intrusion and indoor air quality surveys, and wetlands assessment.

“Adding BLDI to the WDC family of companies creates a tremendous business growth opportunity for both entities and is in line with our overall strategic plan,” said Deidra Mitchell, WDC president and CEO. “BLDI delivers services, including PFAS assessment and remediation, that are in great demand and are largely impervious to economic slowdowns or recession. We’re thrilled to add this firm to the Tribe’s non-gaming economic development portfolio.”

BLDI was founded in 1991 and employs 25 people. It has offices in Grand Rapids and greater Detroit. The company serves clients throughout the U.S., but the bulk of their customers are in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Two of the current owners, Rich Spehar and Leslie DeBoer, will continue to have a minority ownership stake in the firm. DeBoer, who has served as company president since February 2023, will remain in that position.

“Having WDC as a new majority owner is a tremendously positive development and comes at a time of great opportunity for our company. As a West Michigan-based environmental firm, we’re interested in growing our company with a new majority owner that wants to invest in our operations while staying here in the Grand Rapids region. We feel WDC’s corporate culture and long-term business strategy are a perfect fit for us, and their minority status in the federal contracting space will open new business opportunities that will fuel our growth.”

Leslie DeBoer

President, BLDI

With this acquisition, WDC’s portfolio of non-gaming investments increases to 30 entities, encompassing more than 450 employees. It also further diversifies the types of industries represented by companies the NHBP Tribe owns. BLDI will become part of the environmental services division in the Waséyabek Federal Group of companies.

“The addition of BLDI to our portfolio will strengthen our environmental service group and bring their experienced subject matter experts to our current customers and prospective clients in the federal contracting space,” said Bethany Harris, executive vice president of 8(a) business at Waséyabek. “BLDI will continue to deliver great service to its existing customers while expanding into new markets. Furthermore, having their staff and field engineers located near our headquarters will make this ownership transition a seamless process for all.”

WDC’s internal due diligence team handled the execution of the acquisition, a process led by Chief Operating Officer Rabih Jamal with support from long-term business partners BDO and Dickinson Wright. Terms of the deal are not being disclosed.

“While the merger and acquisition landscape has been unusually sluggish this year, our experienced acquisition team has continued to seek strategic opportunities that bring greater economic sustainability to the NHBP Tribe,” said Mitchell. “BLDI is perfectly aligned with our culture and environmental goals, and we’re excited to see how we can grow together in the future.”

Billboard Brings Awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Men, and Children

by Mason Nichols | August 30, 2023 | News

Billboard Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Men, and Children

On the southwest side of Battle Creek, Michigan, motorists can view a billboard designed by Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Member Kevin Harris II. Harris II, who is a cultural specialist with NHBP and the owner of Culture Dept. LLC, created the billboard to bring increased awareness to the national epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women, men, and children. According to Harris, the red hand represents the movement to stop indigenous women from going missing in the future. The woman depicted in the design represents the Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Odawa people collectively known as the Anishinabek.

Waséyabek Development Company Holds Economic Development Showcase and Job Fair at the 2023 Gathering of Potawatomi Nations

by Mason Nichols | August 8, 2023 | News

More than 100 attendees gathered at FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek, Michigan, to learn about the economic advancements of Potawatomi Nation-owned businesses as part of the first-ever Economic Development Showcase and Job Fair. The event, which was hosted by Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC), took place on Friday, July 28, during the 2023 Gathering of Potawatomi Nations hosted by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP).

During the event, attendees spoke with 20 companies to learn about the steps their businesses are taking to enhance a variety of industries, including property management, engineering, transportation, manufacturing, insurance, federal contracting, and beyond. Those in attendance also had the opportunity to learn about the jobs and career pathways available at the companies represented. Jessi Goldner, NHBP Tribal Member and WDC’s Director of Strategic Engagement and Compliance, spearheaded the planning and execution of the event.

“At Waséyabek, we are always looking for ways to promote the hard work of the companies that serve as the economic engine driving the NHBP Tribe forward,” said Deidra Mitchell, President and CEO at WDC. “The Showcase and Job Fair offered an ideal platform to extend an opportunity for NHBP – along with other Potawatomi Nations – to spotlight the incredible work that we are all doing to create a brighter tomorrow for those in Indian Country.”

Exhibitors referenced the ability to provide a snapshot of their businesses to attendees as a key draw to participating in the Showcase and Job Fair, including Kip Ritchie, interim CEO of the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation.

“Not only did this event provide a way for the respective Tribes to showcase their successful businesses, but it also offered a chance for the various leaders to explore opportunities to work together,” he said.

In addition to learning about the companies present, attendees also benefitted from networking with others, something that spilled over into the Potawatomi Economic Summit that took place immediately following the close of the Showcase and Job Fair.

During the Summit, approximately 60 attendees representing 10 Potawatomi Tribes provided updates on economic advancements within their communities. The goal of the Summit was for the Tribes present to learn from each other’s work and to provide a space for future collaboration.

“Having the Tribes together to discuss the work they are performing plays a critical role in how we learn from one another and grow,” Mitchell said. “These continued conversations are vital in building awareness around how we can all advance together.”

The hope is for the Showcase and Job Fair to become part of the Gathering of the Potawatomi Nations each year moving forward, with this year’s event serving as a blueprint for other host Tribes.