[dropcap]The[/dropcap] Chickasaw Nation has ventured into manufacturing, information technology and administrative support services. Additionally, the tribe has opened a fine chocolate factory, several healthcare clinics, pharmacies, hotels, convenience stores, radio stations and a cultural center, says Tony Choate, media relations director for The Chickasaw Nation.
“We are also investing in healthcare and bioscience industries because it will enable us to leverage our success and operational knowledge of healthcare systems to develop successful, new businesses,” he says.
The Choctaw Nation has expanded its interests as well.
“The Choctaw Nation is diversified in its enterprises – beyond gaming,” says Lisa Reed, the public relations officer for The Choctaw Nation. “We have travel plazas, Choctaw Defense, Global Staffing, home health, a welcome center, online store and gift shops, and we are in the process of building two Chili’s franchises … to name a few.”
The Miami Nation, in the interest of continuing to provide economic development for the community, has also expanded its enterprises, says Julie Olds, public relations officer for The Miami Nation.
Photos courtesy Chickasaw Nation.
This includes Miami Business Services, which provides personnel, information technologies and business supplies; Miami Designs, which provides graphic art and promotional materials; Miami Cineplex, a movie theater and arcade; and Service World Computer, which provides computer networking and support, as well as video surveillance. Additionally, the tribe owns one smoke shop and one casino. The Miami Nation’s estimated annual tribal economic impact is $16,700,000 to the state of Oklahoma, says Olds.
Why diversify?
“Diversification provides opportunities for employment of people with a variety of skills and fills voids in many rural areas,” explains Reed.
That’s a goal that the Cherokee Nation shares.
“We choose industries that balance out our portfolio, provide jobs and generate the most revenue so we can fund our tribal services,” says Baker. “The Cherokee people are the ultimate beneficiary to our business success, so we invest those dollars wisely and with the best intention for our people.
The impact of tribal business
across Oklahoma is significant.
The Cherokee Nation, with more than 320,000 citizens, is the largest sovereign tribal nation in the U.S. and the economic engine that drives growth in northeast Oklahoma, says Baker. The power of tribal governments and tribally owned businesses fuel economic development in the region.
“We recently released our biannual Cherokee Nation economic impact report that showed a $1.55 billion economic impact on northeast Oklahoma in 2014,” says Baker.
The Cherokee Nation and its businesses directly employ more than 9,000 people and an additional 5,000 indirectly, he adds. In 2014, Cherokee Nation Businesses had its most successful contracting year, winning nearly $375 million in federal and commercial contracts, contributing to an overall 9.5 percent revenue increase.
“We have broken all records this year in production output, dividends and number of employees, resulting in more money to deliver services to Cherokee Nation citizens and all Oklahomans,” says Baker.
Goods and services are not the only commodities that Oklahoma’s nations provide.
“We are the largest employer in southeastern Oklahoma,” says Reed. “Choctaw Nation businesses not only provide jobs; they are assets to the communities where they utilize other businesses to operate.”
Both state and local economies benefit from tribe activities.
“A recent economic impact study demonstrated the Chickasaw Nation has an annual economic impact on the state of more than $2.4 billion,” says Choate. “The Chickasaw Nation has nearly 13,000 employees, more than 10,000 of those in Oklahoma. A large number of those employees are located in rural areas, where unemployment had long been an issue.”
