The Catawba Nation has officially signed its first compact under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program (TTSGP). Chief Brian Harris, alongside Tribal Administrator Ashley Sexton and Executive Director of Planning & Development Denise Bryson, finalized the agreement, making the Catawba Nation only the fifth of 574 federally recognized tribes to enter into such a compact with USDOT.
“This is a milestone achievement for the Catawba Nation,” said Chief Harris. “This self-governance compact empowers our tribe with greater authority and flexibility over federal transportation funding, allowing us to enhance safety and improve connectivity throughout our community.”
The agreement follows 17 months of discussions between the Catawba Nation and key USDOT officials, including Assistant Secretary of Tribal Affairs Arlando Teller, Director of Tribal Affairs Milo Booth, and Senior Tribal Affairs Advisor Eldridge Onco.
Established in 2020, the USDOT’s TTSGP is modeled after longstanding self-governance programs in the Departments of the Interior and Health and Human Services, which have successfully operated for over two decades.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
