Tribes Look Beyond Gaming

Concerns about the future of gambling and the sustainability of tribal economies are forcing the Umatilla Tribe in Oregon, and dozens of other tribes nationwide to pursue long-term, multimillion-dollar investments in everything from aeronautics to digital mapping.

"There is a sense of urgency in Indian land to diversify tribal economies, which is why we're seeing tribal leaders invest in all forms of enterprises, from airline assembly plants to minimarts to shopping centers," said David Pallermo, spokesman for the California association of Indian gaming operations. "We've had tribes in California buy and take over ownership of banks."

In Banning, CA, the 1,000-member Morongo tribe next month will open a $26 million bottling plant for Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water, a subsidiary of Nestle Waters North America. The plant, which will bottle water from springs on Morongo tribal land, will create about 1,800 local jobs.

One of the first tribes to invest in non-casino projects was the Mississippi Band of Choctaw. The Choctaw own 22 businesses and are the majority owners of three more, including high-tech industries that produce geoimaging devices and a 1,200-employee auto parts plant in Mexico.

While gaming still offers valuable economic opportunities for tribes, they are wise to invest in building more diversified economic bases on their reservations to support tribal members.

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