Mojave County – Mojave Community College and Hualapai Tribal Nation hosted a historic ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first Hualapai Business Incubator.

The incubator will support tribe members who want to start and operate businesses that serve Hualapai Reservation residents, Route 66 travelers, and Grand Canyon visitors.

The festivities began with prayers from the Hualapai tribe Jorijin Paya. Her Sherry J. Parker, chairman of the Hualapai Tribal Council, said this was a great opportunity for the tribe and her experience as an MCC graduate.

Also present are District 1 Travis Lingenfelter, Mojave County Supervisor and MCC District 1 Board Member Candida Hunter. Hunter shared how the MCC helped him complete his degree and said the incubator would help others in many ways.

“MCC has given me the tools and capabilities to launch my college career, and for many of our community members here, we know MCC can make that happen,” says Hunter. “I am really excited to see this partnership continue to grow between the Hualapai and MCC.”

Dr. Stacy Klippenstein, President of MCC, thanked everyone who helped get the incubator up and running.

“On behalf of the Mojave Community College faculty, staff and students, I would like to thank them for their support and for the development and implementation of this Business Incubation Center here in Peach Springs,” said Dr. Crippenstein. “We are so excited to be here and to work with the Tribal Council and the residents of Peach Springs.”

The incubator offers office space, technology, one-on-one coaching, and services including business plan development assistance, marketing strategy, budgeting, and fundraising. MCC’s Small Business Development Center supports daily services and clients are eligible for all his SBDC funding services.

MCC and the Hualapai have partnered to jointly apply for the Federal Native Business Incubator Program (Grant) through the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs. The total amount awarded was over $200,000 per year from 2022-2025, with the option to renew every additional three years.

For more information about the Hualapai Business Incubator, please contact Manny Siyuja, Hualapai Business Incubator Manager at msiyuja@mohave.edu or call (928) 757-4305.

Photo: Left to right: Mary Mendola, MCC Director Corporate Training and Business Development, Manny Siyuja, Hualapai Business Incubator Manager, Sherry J Parker, Hualapai Tribal Council Chairperson, Candida Hunter, MCC Board District 1, Travis Lingenfelter, Mohave County Dr. Stacey Crippenstein, President of MCC, Supervisor District 1.