Wakpamni Lake Community

Corporate Partnerships

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Growing Together Through Strategic Collaboration

At Wakaga Economic Development Group (WEDG), we believe that economic success is strongest when built through strategic partnerships that benefit both businesses and communities. By leveraging external partnerships, we create opportunities that empower the Wakpamni Lake Community while enhancing the growth and profitability of our corporate allies.

The Wakpamni Lake Community (WLC) is one of the most isolated areas within an already remote Indian reservation, located in the rural expanse of South Dakota. Traditional brick-and-mortar businesses face immense challenges due to low population density and limited tourism. To overcome these barriers, WEDG focuses on developing innovative business models that generate revenue from outside population bases, including internet-based businesses, e-commerce, and government contracting.

With a reservation spanning 3 million acres and a tribal population exceeding 45,000 enrolled citizens, the Oglala Sioux Tribe governs a vast territory with recognized treaty rights and a unique political relationship with the United States. However, due to our geographic isolation, we face critical infrastructure shortages, few employment opportunities, and widespread poverty.

Oglala Lakota County, home to the Wakpamni Lake Community, is among the poorest counties in the United States, with:

  • 51.9% of residents below the poverty line
  • Per capita income around $8,768
  • Unemployment rates exceeding 80%
  • High school dropout rates over 60%

Despite these challenges, WEDG operates with a long-term vision, blending modern business practices with traditional Lakota values. While our structure follows a western business model for external partnerships, every initiative is rooted in the Lakota framework and the tiospaye (extended family) structure, ensuring that all economic development efforts serve the well-being of our people.

Investing in Community Well-Being

A core priority of WEDG is to restore Food Sovereignty within our community. Historically, the federal government eroded indigenous food systems, replacing them with low-quality rations that led to widespread health problems, including diabetes and malnutrition. In response, we have reinvested profits into initiatives like the Wicozoni Wateca Project, which produces, stores, and distributes nutritious, locally grown food to elders and community members.

Our food distribution network includes:

  • Powwow Gardens
  • The GeoGreen Kitchen at Powwow Gardens
  • Lakota Greens
  • Community and Family Gardens
  • Elder-raised porch gardens
  • Local farm partnerships

These programs ensure year-round access to diverse, healthy foods, reinforcing self-reliance and cultural preservation while improving public health.

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Partner With WEDG for Mutual Success


A Unique Business Opportunity with Lasting Impact

At WEDG, we recognize that economic growth is strongest when built on mutually beneficial partnerships. By collaborating with businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs, we create opportunities that not only drive corporate profitability but also empower the Wakpamni Lake Community with sustainable economic solutions. Through tribal incentives, government contracting advantages, and strategic development initiatives, we help businesses reduce costs, increase revenue potential, and enter new markets while making a tangible impact in a historically underserved community.

Why Partner with WEDG?

By joining forces with WEDG, your business gains access to a powerful suite of economic benefits that are exclusive to tribal enterprises, including:

  • Government Contracting Preferences – Take advantage of federal set-asides and contracting preferences granted to Native-owned businesses, opening doors to lucrative government projects and procurement opportunities.
  • Tax & Financial Incentives – Benefit from no sales tax, no property tax, and no state income tax when operating on the reservation. Additionally, subsidized federal financing and specialized tax credits provide further cost-saving advantages. (Learn More)
  • Tribal Economic Development Programs – Leverage tribal initiatives that drive sustainable economic expansion, ensuring that your business aligns with growth-driven strategies that enhance long-term stability. (Explore Tribal Benefits)
  • Flexible Business Regulations – Operate within a streamlined regulatory environment that offers greater flexibility in building codes, zoning, and operational compliance, making it easier to launch and scale new ventures.
  • Marketing & Corporate Social Responsibility Advantages – Demonstrate your company’s commitment to social impact and economic equity by partnering with a tribally owned enterprise, reinforcing your brand’s reputation for ethical and sustainable business practices.

Seeking Committed, Forward-Thinking Partners

At WEDG, we prioritize long-term partnerships with businesses that value efficiency, innovation, and mutual success. We operate in a fast-moving, solutions-driven environment, ensuring that our collaborations are productive, strategic, and free from unnecessary bureaucracy or delays. Our ideal partners are companies that embrace opportunities, adapt quickly, and are committed to building lasting, profitable relationships. We’re not interested in drawn-out negotiations or slow-moving decision-making—we seek partners who are ready to take action and seize the unique advantages that come with working alongside a tribally owned enterprise.

We believe in straightforward, no-drama business dealings, where transparency and action drive results. When you partner with WEDG, you gain access to powerful economic incentives, regulatory flexibility, and exclusive government contracting opportunities—all within a streamlined, results-focused framework. Whether you’re an established enterprise or a growing company looking to expand, WEDG provides the support, resources, and accelerated pathways to success that you need. If you’re ready to work with a proactive, forward-thinking team that values efficiency and long-term growth, we invite you to join us in shaping a stronger, more prosperous future together.

Leveraging Tribal Advantages for Business Expansion

Our remote location within Oglala Lakota County, one of the poorest counties in the United States, presents a unique opportunity for businesses to develop high-impact, non-traditional economic models. Unlike urban economies, where competition is high and operating costs are overwhelming, WEDG creates an environment where businesses can thrive without excessive tax burdens, regulatory challenges, or infrastructure limitations.

Recognizing the lack of brick-and-mortar business viability due to low population density and minimal tourism traffic, WEDG actively seeks partnerships in sectors that generate revenue beyond traditional retail, such as:

  • E-commerce & Online Services – Internet-based businesses are a natural fit, as they allow for profit generation outside of local population constraints while benefiting from tribal tax incentives.
  • Renewable Energy & Sustainability – Opportunities in solar, wind, and geothermal energy development are enhanced by tribal and federal funding programs that support green initiatives.
  • Government & Infrastructure Contracting – Businesses working in construction, security, IT, and logistics can gain significant federal contracting advantages by partnering with WEDG on projects within and beyond the reservation.
  • Finance & Investment Partnerships – Investors and financial institutions seeking tax-efficient business structures can benefit from WEDG’s tribal-owned status to optimize returns and minimize liabilities.
  • Manufacturing & Industrial Development – WEDG provides a cost-effective environment for manufacturing and production through reduced overhead expenses, strategic location advantages, and available workforce development programs.

A Partnership Rooted in Shared Success

WEDG operates with the belief that economic success should uplift entire communities, not just individual businesses. Our structure ensures that profits generated through strategic partnerships are reinvested into essential community initiatives, such as:

  • Job Creation & Workforce Development – By training and employing tribal members, we establish sustainable career pathways while ensuring that businesses benefit from a dedicated and skilled workforce.
  • Food Sovereignty & Nutrition Programs – Revenue supports local food production and distribution efforts, such as the Wicozoni Wateca Project, which provides healthy, locally grown foods to the community.
  • Infrastructure & Community Growth – Partnering with WEDG helps fund essential infrastructure projects, such as road development, communication networks, and housing initiatives that improve the quality of life for all residents.

Join Us & Build a Stronger Future Together

WEDG is actively seeking established and growing companies that are looking to expand, reduce costs, and gain a competitive advantage through tribal economic benefits. Whether you are a startup, an expanding enterprise, or an investor looking for tax-efficient business structures, we invite you to explore how our partnership can help you achieve your business goals while making a lasting social impact.

📩 Contact Us Today to discuss partnership opportunities and see how we can help your business grow.

🔗 Learn More About Taxes & Regulations
🔗 Explore Tribal Benefits

Work Together

Ready to Get Started?
Partner with us to drive growth and create lasting economic impact—let’s build the future together!

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Tribally Owned
Forward Thinking

© 2025 WAKAGA Economic Development Group (WEDG). All Rights Reserved.
WAKAGA Economic Development Group is a tribally owned entity of the Wakpamni Lake Community (WLC) government, a subsidiary municipal tribal government of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. All content, trademarks, and intellectual property on this website are protected by applicable laws. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of any materials without prior written consent is strictly prohibited.

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1 Powwow Development Park

Batesland, SD 57716

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