Commerce
The Chickasaw Nation continues to expand and diversify its businesses. The creation of these successful businesses results in increased revenue to support the many programs and services available to Chickasaws.
Solara Healthcare is one example of the Chickasaw Nation’s diversification efforts. Solara operates long-term acute care hospitals in eight locations. FY 2008 was a period of heavy development for Solara. With five locations in
its first year of operation, employment increased to nearly 1,000 employees. Solara
is now focusing on building patient volumes and profitability.
Bank2 has significantly expanded the bank’s loan portfolio. Total loans for this tribally owned entity are now more than $63 million. Concentrating in the area of home loans for Native Americans, Bank2 launched a new Native American mortgage subsidiary and positioned itself to become the United States’ leading Native American home lender.
Chickasaw Nation Industries (CNI) continues its success as well. In FY 2008, CNI reorganized and streamlined operations, resulting in earnings of approximately $14 million, more than double compared to the previous year. CNI refocused its marketing efforts and added new contract agreements with the Food and Drug Administration and
the United States Army at Ft. Knox. It also
was successful in earning extensions with
the Indian Health Service, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Flight Standards division,
the national Geospatial Intelligence Agency
and the Tinker Air Force Base Information Technology consolidation project.
Bedré Chocolates, headquartered in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, continues to grow its customer base by adding more than 20 new corporate accounts and manufacturing chocolate products to high profile businesses such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and Hard Rock Hotels. Bedré is also working to position its own brand name on the market. In FY 2008, it introduced the new Twists into all Neiman Marcus stores and developed a new product, “Shark Teeth,” in an effort to sell Bedré chocolates to visitors in museums, zoos and aquariums.
As part of the Chickasaw Nation’s diversification strategy, Global Gaming Solutions was established in 2008. Global Gaming Solutions was created to pursue gaming opportunities outside the tribe’s boundaries. It began focusing on emerging markets in other Native American tribes, the Caribbean, Taiwan, Asia and across the U.S.
The Chickasaw Nation gaming centers also saw expansion and increases in 2008. The tribe’s most profitable business, WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma, began construction on its expansion. When complete, the facility will cover more than 521,000 square feet, making it one of the five largest casinos in the world. The new complex will include gaming space, table games, a 2,500‑seat theatre, hotel rooms, convention space, restaurants, an RV park and an emergency medical services building that will house fire, EMT and Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department functions.
The division of commerce implemented new environmental management systems during the last fiscal year. A waste management contract incorporates cardboard and paper recycling at the tribe’s two largest casinos, Riverwind and WinStar, with plans proposed to include other entities.
The division also signed a groundbreaking Environmental Sustainability Partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
This agreement, the first of its kind between the agency and a sovereign nation, enables the Chickasaw Nation to work directly with EPA scientists and engineers in the U.S. EPA’s Office of Research and Development. These researchers have developed technologies and procedures designed to reduce the consumption of materials and energy in a casino environment.
Other accomplishments:
- The WinStar World Championship Series of Poker included the two largest tournaments in the Midwest, televised throughout the United States and abroad.
- Bedré Chocolates administrators worked to increase profits by negotiating an overall 67 percent reduction in commercial carrier freight charges.
- Riverwind Casino in Norman, Oklahoma, won an award for the Friendliest Casino from the Oklahoma Gazette for the second consecutive year.
- Two Chickasaw Nation Microtel employees won the “Stars of the Industry Awards” presented by the Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association. Otis “Bo” Saunders won Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year and Calis “Sissy” Young won Outstanding Manager of the Year. Three other Microtel employees were nominated for outstanding employee awards.