Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith (left) and Cherokee Motorcycle Company CEO Ray Whitehead, (right) admire a new Cherokee Motorcycle.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Cherokee Motorcycle Company broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Tahlequah this morning. The new facility will employ between 250 and 300 people in a variety of manufacturing, marketing and administrative positions.

The new 40,000 square foot facility will be the new headquarters for the company, which is relocating from California.

"In 1930, there were 40,000 Cherokees in Oklahoma", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "By 1940, there were only 20,000. More than 20,000 Cherokees left Oklahoma on an economic Trail of Tears, and most of those ended up in California. With this company moving from California back to the heart of the Cherokee Nation, this is a sign that we are committed to making sure there are economic opportunities that allow Cherokees to stay here."

The Cherokee Motorcycle Company, which was called Fast Trac Manufacturing before the move, chose its new name because of the goodwill associated with the word "Cherokee".

"Cherokee is a much better name for our company", said Ray Whitehead, CEO of Cherokee Motorcycle Company. "There is a feeling of quality and Native American and North American heritage that connects us to America."

Whitehead also said geography played a key role in locating his company in Tahlequah.

"We wanted to be located (near) the Cherokee Nation headquarters, in Cherokee County", Whitehead said. "Tahlequah is located geographically near the center of the country, making distribution efficient both east and west."

Whitehead thanked the Cherokee Nation, the City of Tahlequah, the Tahlequah Industrial Trust Authority, NSU and the State of Oklahoma for working to bring Cherokee Motorcycle Company to Oklahoma.

"What you see here today is a result of partnerships and working together", said Tahlequah Mayor Jerry Cook. "That is why Tahlequah is growing and thriving. We decided not to participate in the national economic downturn."