"t's too bad that the Gila River Indian Community Council rejected plans for a South Mountain Community College campus on its land south of Ahwatukee Foothills. It would have been a prime opportunity for the tribe to bring higher education closer to its people. A chance to encourage high school students to think of careers beyond working at the casinos, golf courses or hotel.

Now the opportunity is lost. South Mountain College, with about $4 million in funding from a November 2004 bond election, cannot wait any longer. President Ken Atwater needs to move ahead with building a college branch and has turned his search to sites in Ahwatukee.

This is the latest example of how interwoven the two communities are and the growing need for intergovernmental cooperation. More and more, anything one community does has residual effects on its neighbor."

Get the Story:
Tribe missed education opportunity (The Arizona Republic 5/13)

Relevant Links:
Gila River Indian Community - http://www.gric.nsn.us
Gila River Indian Community economic development - http://www.gilariverdevelopment.com

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