Oregon Tribe Contributes $107 Million to County

As reported by the Douglas County News Review: "The Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians contributed more than $107 million to the economy of Douglas County in 2004, according to a study commissioned by the tribe.

"The study, completed by EcoNorthwest of Portland, said the county's overall payroll would have been $40 million lower if the tribe didn't have a presence here. In addition, small companies and self-employed workers would have earned $6.4 million less, the study said.

"The tribe's efforts to diversify — the Cow Creeks own more than a dozen businesses aside from the Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino Resort in Canyonville — have made a much larger impact on the local economy than if it had relied solely on casino profits, said Robert Whelan, the study's author.

"…Tribal leaders commissioned the study, in part to temper criticism of the Cow Creeks for seeking to have their downtown Roseburg property placed into tribal trust…"