The 8(a) overhaul that Inland Empire tribes can mostly ignore
Citrus Belt Review: Native-owned firms took $16.1 billion of the 8(a) program's roughly $26 billion in federal contract awards in fiscal 2024, and the SBA's June 11 proposal to strip race-based eligibility for individually owned firms pointedly leaves the tribal share untouched. For most of Indian Country that protection matters enormously. For the Inland Empire's tribes, it's close to a non-event — and why it's a non-event says more about the Inland Empire’s economy than the rule itself does.
Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation pays $33.2 million for Riverside's Mission Inn
Press-Enterprise: The tribe paid $33.2 million for the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, a price withheld when the deal was announced in early May and surfaced only through recorded transaction filings.
Morongo gives $450K to 111 nonprofits
Morongo Band of Mission Indians: The tribe's outreach program has now moved more than $1.7M to 400-plus groups since 2022.
Morongo backs Cherry Festival with $300K
Morongo Nation: The tribe gave $300,000 to the Cherries of the Pass Foundation to support the May 28-31 festival in Beaumont, continuing a recurring sponsorship of one of the Pass area's signature events.
Morongo backs Tower Buzzers, puts its name on Quakes field
Inland Empire Business Journal: Multi-year deals with the new Tower Buzzers (Dodgers affiliate) and the Quakes — whose field is now Morongo Field at the Epicenter.