Officials in Mendocino County, California, want the casino owned by the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians to stay open.

County supervisors sent a letter to the National Indian Gaming Commission to support the casino. "Shodakai Casino employs one hundred seventy individuals, and, directly through salaries and indirectly through employee spending for goods and services, is a significant contributor to the strength of our rural economy," the letter says, according to The Ukiah Daily Journal.

The supervisors also approved a letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) to urge him to negotiate a new compact with the tribe. The tribe currently lacks an agreement.

NIGC ordered the casino to close due to the lack of a compact. A federal judge has allowed the facility to reopen.

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County backing casino's cause (The Ukiah Daily Journal 6/24)