Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation
Copyright © 2003 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Nation Enterprises will open a gaming facility on tribal trust land near Tahlequah on Highway 62 around the end of the year."We really want to capitalize on the incredible tourist market in Tahlequah", said David Stewart, CEO and President of CNE. "Thousands of people come here every year to see the Cherokee Nation and other attractions in the Tahlequah area. This facility will just give them a reason to stay longer while they are here."
Industry reports show that tourists spend more than two dollars on lodging, food, gas and other expenses for every dollar they spend on gaming.
"There is an economic union driven by gaming that provides jobs and livelihood for a lot of people", said Jerry Cook, mayor of Tahlequah. "We can either import those jobs or export them. I’d rather import them."
Initially, CNE’s new facility will offer approximately 150 electronic bingo and pull tab games in a structure along Highway 62. The facility should create approximately 15-20 job opportunities for the area community.
"We had so much success with the games at our Fort Gibson Cherokee Outpost Smoke Shop that we realized there was a market here for people visiting the area lakes and rivers", Stewart said.
"This is one more plus, one more thing to put on your plate from a tourism standpoint", Cook said. "This can be an economic engine and a tourism engine for our local economy."
Stewart agrees, saying CNE already has plans to expand to a larger, more permanent facility at a different site in Tahlequah in the future.
Stewart also pointed out that the increased revenues would make more money available for programs for Cherokee citizens, including health care, education and housing.
Stewart presented plans for the facility to the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council during Thursday’s Executive and Finance Committee meeting.
"With the promise of a permanent site later on, I support this facility", said Audra Smoke-Connor, who represents Cherokee County on the Tribal Council. "When it relocates, our people could use this building as a community center for different events."
CNE is a tribally owned corporation of the Cherokee Nation. CNE’s income is paid to the Cherokee Nation in the form of a dividend. In the past year, CNE has paid more than $9 million in dividends to the Cherokee Nation. That money is used to help fund tribal health, education and housing programs.
CNE operates the Cherokee Casinos, Cherokee Outpost Convenience stores, Cherokee retail tobacco shops, the Cherokee Gift Shop and the Cherokee Hills golf course in Catoosa. CNE employs more than 1000 people throughout northeastern Oklahoma.
| Related contact information: |
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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 |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |