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JUNE 4, 2001

It started with gaming but it has grown to much more for Oklahoma's tribes.

Using profits earned from Class II and limited Class III facilities, tribes like the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and the Choctaw Nation have grown their enterprises to include grocery stores, convenience centers, golf courses, manufacturing plants, and more.

The move, of course, has not been without controversy. Competitors of the Potawatomi's new discount foods store say the tribe has an unfair advantage in not paying local sales tax. They also complain the store isn't regulated by state rules.

Chairman John A. "Rocky" Barrett said the fears are unwarranted. He expects the store to average about $300,000 a week in sales.

The Daily Oklahoman has been running a number of articles about tribal taxation and economic development issues.

Get the Story:
Tribes build businesses from gaming (The Daily Oklahoman 6/4)
Tribal food store draws fire (The Daily Oklahoman 6/3)