CHOCTAW, Miss. — The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, in partnership with East Central Community College, is offering classes to Tribal employees that will allow them to obtain NCCER Certification. The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) provides standardized credentialing recognized nationwide for those working in the construction, maintenance, and pipeline industries.
“We performed an assessment with the directors in each of our maintenance departments, and it revealed that the primary need for training was in the area of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning),” says Sarah Medlock, Operations Manager for the MBCI Office of Economic Development. “We immediately began developing a program to meet that need and this partnership with ECCC allows us to offer the necessary training along with national certification credentials for our employees.”
Currently, classes are being offered for HVAC and Electrical certification programs. Fifteen Tribal employees are going through the training, representing various entities including Pearl River Resort, MBCI Tribal Maintenance, Choctaw Health Center, and Choctaw Tribal Schools.
Brian Robinson, an engineer with the Tribe, is a certified NCCER instructor and will teach both the HVAC and electrical courses. “We are very pleased that one of our Tribal employees has become certified to teach the classes and are excited about the possibilities for advancement the classes will offer our Tribal members,” said Medlock.
“Not only does this training provide personal advancement for the individuals, it also allows the MBCI to be more self-sufficient, as we are able to perform maintenance issues ourselves. Our ongoing mission is to educate, train, and provide career opportunities for our members.”
As one of the United States’ original first nations, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is the only federally recognized American Indian tribe living within the State of Mississippi. With over 11,000 members, Choctaw lands cover over 35,000 acres in 10 counties. Providing permanent, full-time jobs for over 5,000 Tribal-member and non-Indian employees, the Tribe is a major contributor to the state’s economy.
Mississippi Choctaws’ Educational Efforts Boosted by New Markets Tax Credit
CHOCTAW, Mississippi -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians recently closed a New Markets Tax Credit transaction related to its two new early childhood education centers and an elementary school expansion -- resulting in a $2.3 million benefit to the Tribe. “We...
Mississippi Choctaws Installing Technology in Commercial Buildings to Neutralize Covid-19 Virus
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is updating all of its commercial and industrial buildings with needlepoint bipolar ionization, a technology that will greatly enhance the air quality and provide neutralization against Covid-19. "In an...
Tribal Employee Becomes NCCER Certified as Instructor in HVAC
CHOCTAW, Miss. — Christopher Dearing lives in Philadelphia, MS with his family and currently is an employee of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. For the past three years, he has worked as an HVAC/R Technician for Choctaw Tribal Maintenance. He has over 10 years...
Mississippi Choctaws Receive 2.5 GHz Spectrum License to Assist in Broadband Access for Tribe
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians recently was awarded a 2.5 GHz license by the Federal Communications Commission, which will be used to provide wireless broadband service in portions of the Bogue Chitto and Conehatta communities. This license...
Tribal Employee Becomes NCCER Certified as Instructor in Electrical and HVAC
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- Brian Robinson currently works for the tribe as the Utility Engineer/Tribal Energy Manager and lives in Carthage, MS with his family. He has been an entrepreneur, having owned and operated Robinson Engineering, and has been the tribe's General...
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Receives $450,000 Grant From W.K. Kellogg Foundation
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has been awarded a $450,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to assist the Tribe in building a community that is food-secure with equitable access to fresh and healthy foods. The grant will be used to...
Economic Development Director Encourages Those Thinking of Starting a New Business in 2020 or 2021
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- Although the United States has seen a stagnant economy during much of 2020, the Director of Economic Development for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians says this is actually an advantageous climate for starting a new business. Director John...
Choctaw Fresh Produce Provides Assistance to Tribe During COVID-19
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- Choctaw Fresh Produce has stepped up to serve the community during the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering over 4,000 pounds of organic produce to Tribal members who were in quarantine. From May through July, the certified organic farm, which typically...
Mississippi Choctaws Receive Grant to Assist with Complete Broadband Coverage for Tribe
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians recently was awarded a grant from First Nations Development Institute in the amount of $15,000. The grant is part of the Building Digital Technology Capacity in Native American Communities Project. "This grant...
John Hendrix
Director of Economic Development
601.650.1607
jhendrix@choctaw.org
Office of Economic Development
375 Industrial Road | STE 2
Choctaw, MS 39350
Tribal Businesses
