Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation
Copyright © 2003 CNO
SALLISAW, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation is continuing business development efforts for tribally owned property along the Arkansas River in Sequoyah County."Sequoyah County has a great opportunity for economic development", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "We are securing funding for a feasibility study on what kinds of businesses would benefit from a port along the Arkansas River."
The Cherokee Nation has a waterway study completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, and is currently in the process of finalizing a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant that would further determine the feasibility for businesses needing a port.
"When we talk about a port, we’re really talking about attracting the kinds of businesses that would need to ship their products on barges or by intermodal transportation", Smith said. "When this is all said and done, these kinds of businesses would provide hundred of jobs in Sequoyah County, but we have to make sure we do it right."
The new USDA grant would help the Cherokee Nation identify potential clients for a port, as well as any financial hurdles that might stand in the way of developing a port in Sequoyah County.
"The Port Authority of Cherokee Nation should be commended for their determination, patience and leadership on this project, Smith said. "I look forward to working with community leaders in Sequoyah County over the next few years as we see this project through to the finish."
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org
Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma |