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New Hydroponics Operation to Grow its Business at Ak-Chin

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On July 19, Ibarra Family Farms broke ground on its first U.S. hydroponic operation at Santa Cruz Commerce Center, the Ak-Chin Indian Community’s industrial park. The wholesale operation will produce leafy greens for farmers markets, supermarkets and local restaurants.

Phase1 will consist solely of the installation of a 16,128 SF pre-engineered/pre-fabricated greenhouse manufactured by Cravo Equipment, Ltd of Ontario, Canada. The greenhouse, which is the only facility of its kind in the country, features a unique retractable roof that will enable it to adapt to changing environmental conditions to allow a year round production. Phase 1 of the operation will occupy 1.2 acres and is valued at $375,000.

Currently, the project has been through all Ak-Chin Indian Community approvals and is in the building permit process. Construction is due to start at the end of July 2018 and is expected to be complete by January 2019.

The Ibarra Family also has a greenhouse farming business in Mexico, which produces tomatoes and peppers. Mr. Ibarra has more than 25 years of experience as a grower. He holds a global agribusiness degree from ASU and has a Masters degree from Purdue University in Indiana and a Masters from the University of Almería in Spain. In addition, he has earned a number of certifications in hydroponics by attending conferences in 10 different countries around the world.

Rockstar Arizona to Celebrate Grand Re-Opening August 12

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Rockstar Arizona Cheer, Tumbling & Dance, formerly Fyrestorm All-Star Cheer, is set to celebrate their new name and expansion at 10 am on August 12th in Suite C of the Mesquite Building at Santa Cruz Commerce Center. Ak-Chin Indian Community Chair Robert Miguel and Mayor Christian Price will be on hand to share congratulations with owner, Beth Mundell, and to assist with the ribbon-cutting.

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, Rockstar Arizona will offer a free public tumbling clinic from 9-10 am. Following the ribbon-cutting, championship cheerleader and coach known for competing at the Cheerleading Worlds and Nfinity Legends, Rockstar Beatles Kennedy Thames, and Beatles Head Coach Scott Foster, will also be available for a meet and greet.

Rockstar Arizona’s programming encompasses co-ed, all-star, competitive, and recreational cheer and tumble for children 1 to 18 years old, as well as, classes for adults and those with special needs. Cheer programming involves dance, jumping, acrobatics, stunt-building and tumbling, which can showcase solos, duos, group stunt and partner stunt. Rockstar all-star teams have divisions for tiny, mini, youth, junior, and senior levels 1-5. In addition, there is an all-star hip hop program, which features teams and individuals. In addition, the program emphasizes character-building and self-confidence. “We want our athletes to be around good role models that will make them good human beings,” said Mundell.

Since its opening, the program has grown from an enrollment of about 65 to 100 athletes and from six to 21 staff members who include a number of specialists. “We coach a little differently,” Mundell said. “Rather than having coaches that generalize in a lot of areas. We have co-ed specialists, dance specialists, tumbling specialists, etcetera. We focus on family and that’s why we’re about half as expensive as other gyms.” In her new expanded space in Suite C of the Mesquite Building, Mundell expects to accommodate up to 200 athletes.

To find out more about Rockstar Arizona’s classes and programs, visit rockstararizona.com or call 856-624-3375.

Fyrestorm All-Star Cheer Jumps at Chance to Expand; Change Name to Rockstar Arizona

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Four years ago, Fyrestorm All-Star Cheer was just a dream of tumbling and cheer coach, Beth Mundell. But with an assist from the Ak-Chin Industrial Park Board, Mundell was able to make her dream a reality when she opened her business in August 2013 in Suite E of the Mesquite Building at Ak-Chin’s Santa Cruz Commerce Center. Now Mundell is cheering her gym’s expansion under a new name: Rockstar Arizona.

The Fyrestorm program quickly gained prominence and for the last two years in a row, Fyrestorm athletes were invited to compete at The Summit – All Star Cheerleading Championship, which according to Mundell “is like the Super Bowl of cheer.” Now to further promote Mundell’s gym as the only local, Maricopa-based USASF-credentialed cheer and tumbling program with USASF and USAG-credentialed coaches, Mundell agreed to license the Rockstar Cheer & Dance name since it is recognized in cheer circles across the nation. “We are still an independently owned and operated family business,” Mundell emphasized.

Rockstar Arizona’s programming encompasses co-ed, all-star, competitive, and recreational cheer and tumble for children 1 to 18 years old, as well as, classes for adults and those with special needs. Cheer programming involves dance, jumping, acrobatics, stunt-building and tumbling, which can showcase solos, duos, group stunt and partner stunt. Rockstar all-star teams have divisions for tiny, mini, youth, junior, and senior levels 1-5. In addition, there is an all-star hip-hop program, which features teams and individuals. In addition, the program emphasizes character-building and self-confidence. “We want our athletes to be around good role models that will make them good human beings,” said Mundell.

Since its opening, the program has grown from an enrollment of about 65 to 100 athletes and from six to 21 staff members who include a number of specialists. “We coach a little differently,” Mundell said. “Rather than having coaches that generalize in a lot of areas. We have co-ed specialists, dance specialists, tumbling specialists, etcetera. We focus on family and that’s why we’re about half as expensive as other gyms.” In her new expanded space in Suite C of the Mesquite Building, Mundell expects to accommodate up to 200 athletes.

To find out more about Rockstar Arizona’s classes and programs, visit rockstararizona.com or call 856-624-3375. Watch for their Grand Re-Opening announcement, coming soon!

Understanding Tribal Differences Needed for Successful Development

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For many reasons, developing a project on reservation land is different than it is elsewhere.

When non-Native American developers consider land deals, decisions for the best use of the land are routinely determined by the use that offers the best financial return. When Native Americans consider a lease, investment or land use decision, they typically view it as interconnected with life that has physical, economic, social and spiritual implications, and all of these impacts must be carefully weighed.

This interconnectedness, known as “seven-generation thinking” is how Native American people are taught to think about their long-term sustainability —about making decisions that ensure that their land, air, and water can support all forms of life for seven generations to come. While each American Indian tribe is unique, most tribal people believe there is a responsibility to be considered in balance the with the economic opportunity.

While this is a sacred philosophy for most Native people, most non-Native businesses are not prepared to evaluate decisions from this multifaceted perspective. Generally, more thought, deliberate discussion and due diligence are required to close a deal with a tribal government or Native American business than for a business transaction off reservation.

Not surprisingly, many non-Native American businesspeople may misinterpret this extended decision-making period as inefficiency. For Native Americans, however, this is essential to developing a truly viable seven-generation economy.

The use of tribal land is further complicated by its legal status. Title to tribal lands is held in trust by the federal government. Trust status gives tribal governments the ability to exercise sovereign authority within their boundaries and are not generally subject to state laws. However, trust status also creates limitations on the use of these lands, and most actions affecting the land must comply with federal law.

Another factor complicating the development process is how the land is held in trust. Tribal land can be held either wholly by the tribal community or through a combination of tribal jurisdiction and individual tribal landowners that received a land allotment. When allotted land is involved, even a 10-acre parcel can mean 200-300 individuals need to approve a development deal, adding to the complexity of the development process.

Another Native American tradition that makes doing business different on tribal land is that most tribal communities are communal, and decisions are made with the consensus of the membership, often after long and deliberate discussions. The effort to reach consensus requires that a tribal government reach out to tribe members and bring them into the decision-making process.

This is very different from how decisions are made by city councils, where municipal and county governments decide the land use after listening to planners, lawyers or lobbyists. If residents object, they have to find their own way into the decision-making process.

In addition to the philosophical and land ownership issues, tribes vary widely in their development experience and sophistication. Some have a design review process and standards in place that allows them to move a project through the necessary steps with efficiency. Others lack appropriate tax and zoning codes necessary to facilitate smooth development of any commercial project.

Also, many tribes lack the capital to provide needed infrastructure, such as water, power, and sewage. Consequently, developers may need to include the cost of infrastructure build-out in their cost analysis. The Ak-Chin Indian Community’s industrial park is one of the exceptions. Santa Cruz Commerce Center, which has all of its infrastructure in place, is the only Arizona Native American tribal location to be Gold Certified as a shovel-ready site by the Arizona Commerce Authority.

While doing business on tribal land may be different, successful projects can generate rewards both on and off the reservation in job creation, reduced poverty, and shared resources. Understanding the differences goes a long way in creating success.

How to Improve Business Relationships with Native Americans

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Before traveling to any foreign country, it is prudent to learn how that country’s culture and business practices differ from your own. The same is true when you seek to establish a business relationship with a Native American tribe. There are 22 federally recognized tribes in Arizona and each one operates like its own country. Each has its own tribal government structure, sets its own tax policies, and has its own development process. In order to gain cultural competence, you must first be aware of your own world view and how that may affect your ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with Native people. Understanding common customs and business routines can help you avoid embarrassment and focus on building successful relationships.

Here are five of the most common qualities that are valued by Native people and therefore relevant to your business interactions.

  1. Relationships come first; then business. Laying a foundation for relationships begins with an understanding of history, trust, respect, honor, and tribal sovereignty. A tribe won’t automatically teach you about these things, but you can take the initiative to seek out the information from organizations like the Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona in Tucson; the American Indian Policy Institute at Arizona State University; or the Center for American Indian Economic Development at Northern Arizona University.
  2. Networking with other professionals who have done work with a tribe is another way to learn about customs and practices particular to a certain tribe. Such affiliation can also help build trust for your relationship.
  3. Time is relative to circumstances. Many Native Americans tend to see time on a continuum of the past, present, and future. This means much can be gained by watching, listening, waiting, and then acting when the time is right. It’s more about respecting the timeliness of an action rather than doing something by a certain time on the clock or the calendar.
  4. Stories are integral to communication. Native Americans often exchange information and convey beliefs through storytelling. Their communication style is greatly affected by their values of humility, respect for elders, and concern for group harmony.
  5. Negotiations are an opportunity for consensus-building. Dialogue should be approached with patience, politeness and modesty. Native Americans tend to be more collaborative and less confrontational than other Americans. Long silences during discussions are typically occasions for tribal members to fully consider the options before them.
  6. Respect personal space. Even though there are varying expectations, some tribal members greatly value keeping a distance of 2-1/2 to 3 feet of personal space between them and others. Soft talk, gentle handshakes, minimal eye contact–especially with elders–and little facial display of emotion are also appreciated among many American Indians.

These are just a few of the cultural differences that may be applicable to interactions with the tribe you want to approach. However, even if you have worked with one tribe before, you only have experience with one tribe. Do not assume that the culture will be the same with another.

When Phil Entz, a Development Management Consultant for UrbanTech Ltd., began working with the Ak-Chin Indian Community nearly 20 years ago, he found the Community to be “one of the most welcoming.” Though Entz had worked with other tribes outside the state and went on to work with a number of other Arizona tribes, his experience was often distinctly different. “I learned very quickly that Ak-Chin is extremely proactive in expanded investments in economic development, partnering, marketing, and accelerated economic growth,” said Entz. “That’s not just different than other tribes; it’s different than most municipalities including cities, counties, and entire regions.”

Learning about foreign cultures can be fun and rewarding, and it’s no different when gaining insight into American Indian tribes. Our approach may be different, but our desire for mutual success is the same.