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Oklahoma Tribe: Casino Good for Area

OKLAHOMA – As reported by the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: "In spite of the objections of some area residents, Osage Nation officials say a new casino planned approximately 4 miles southwest of Bartlesville in eastern Osage County will be good for the local economy and will be a benefit to the community.

"According to the tribe, 35 local contractors will be employed in the project and more than 100 individual construction jobs will be created when ground is broken in July on the 25,000-square-foot Million Dollar Elm Casino of Bartlesville. The recently announced gaming venue, an estimated $8 million project, is set to open in early spring of 2006. Once open, it is expected to employ more than 200 people.

"'Gaming is a means to an end for the Osage Tribe,' said Chief Jim Gray, principal chief of the Osage Nation. 'Our future doesn't rise and fall on gaming, but we need gaming to help us reach our goals for health care, education and economic development. Gaming creates revenue to invest in other opportunities.'

"…The casino property, situated in the Osage Hills, 4 miles southwest of the intersection of State Highway 123 and U.S. Highway 60, will sit on 20 acres of a larger 132-acre property leased from private landowners and will overlook the Hughes Ranch and wild horse range…"

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