July 31, 2025

Dear USET/USET SPF Family,

During the 2025 USET SPF Impact week meeting, the Board of Directors adopted the updated USET Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Plan. This important update to USET’s CEDS builds on the inaugural report released in 2016, which was the first Tribal regional CEDS in the nation. That groundbreaking effort established a foundation for economic development within the USET region and has guided the growth of our programs and partnerships over the past several years.

USET’s Office of Economic Development (OEcD) is proud to announce the full release of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Video Series. The four-part video series includes:

• An introduction to the USET Office of Economic Development
• A deep look into the CEDS process and its role in Tribal economic planning
• A full overview of the 2024 USET CEDS Report
• A focused discussion on the Strategic Themes, Goals, and Objectives that will guide our collective progress

This CEDS update reflects our continued commitment to economic sovereignty, resilience, and self-determined growth. Developed with input from USET’s Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Committee and aligned with the organization’s long-term strategic roadmap, this updated strategy identifies key priorities, opportunities, and challenges to support sustainable economic progress across our member Tribal Nations.

This is more than a report, it’s a tool to help our Tribal Nations plan, partner, and prosper together. We invite you to tune in for part four of this series, where we’ll dive deep into the strategic initiatives that shape economic growth and resilience within the USET region.

To learn more about stragtegic planning or to request technical assistance, contact USET’s Economic Development Director at RNaragon@usetinc.org.

Established in 1969, the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) is a non-profit, inter-Tribal organization serving thirty-three (33) federally recognized Tribal Nations from the Northeastern Woodlands to the Everglades and across the Gulf of Mexico. USET is dedicated to enhancing the development of Tribal Nations, improving the capabilities of Tribal governments, and improving the quality of life for Indian people through a variety of technical and supportive programmatic services.