St. Regis Mohawk Tribe: News & Resources

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
Ohiariha/ June 26, 2006

For information contact:
Brendan White
Director of Public Information
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236
Fax: (518) 358-9675

SAINT REGIS MOHAWK TRIBE INTERGRAL PART OF FRANKLIN COUNTY AND ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY ECONOMIES

AKWESASNE , NY — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council shared economic information today on employment and the amount of goods purchased and services provided by the Tribe to areas located in the Akwesasne Mohawk land claim area. The information revealed that Franklin County and St. Lawrence County each receive positive economic benefits directly from the Tribe, as well as essential services.

“The Tribe has reached out and supports the surrounding economies,” noted Tribal Chief James W. Ransom. “We have a history of providing employment opportunities and providing economic contributions to neighboring counties. The Tribe’s financial activity is important to the region’s overall economic growth,” added Chief Ransom.

The Tribe and its two gaming facilities, the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and the Mohawk Bingo Palace , directly employ nearly 1,200 people making it one of the largest employers in the North Country . In 2005, the Tribe paid more than $19 million in wages to Franklin County and St. Lawrence County residents. Franklin County received a total of $11,286,807.30 in wages and St. Lawrence County received $7,991,340.67.

Nearly 80 percent of the casino’s 585-person workforce is comprised of non-Natives from surrounding communities. Additionally, 26 percent of the Tribe’s 493 employees are from neighboring counties, as well as 55 percent of the Bingo Palace ’s 116 employees. Several hundred non-Natives also find employment at the more than 110 Mohawk businesses operating in Akwesasne.

According to Tribal Chief Barbara A. Lazore, “The casino created 60 new jobs in April and is continually providing new employment opportunities.” Chief Lazore noted, “The growth of our community’s economy has been substantial and is the fastest growing in either Franklin County or St. Lawrence County.”

The Akwesasne economy continues to expand and benefits surrounding communities. The Tribe purchased over $8.1 million in goods and services from Franklin County and St. Lawrence County vendors in 2005. St. Lawrence County vendors sold $4.8 million in goods and services to the Tribe, while Franklin County vendors sold $3.3 million.

Overall in 2005, the Tribe made at least a $26 million positive impact on the Franklin County and St. Lawrence County economies. The figure represents a significant contribution to the regional economy.

The Salmon River Central School District also receives an economic benefit due to the presence of the Tribe in its service area. The School District receives more than 10 percent, or over $1.8 million, of its annual operating budget from the State Education Department due to Mohawk students attending their schools. In comparison, the school district receives 6 percent of its budget from property taxes.

The School District receives another $600,000 in federal grants for Native programming. Additionally, in 2005 the Tribe provided $80,000 to fund Salmon River’s summer school program that was attended by Native and non-Native students.

“ Northern New York communities are dependent upon each other and our economies need to support one another to survive and grow,” stated Tribal Chief Lorraine M. White. Chief White added, “The Tribe has a long history of cooperating with both counties and resolving our community’s land claim through a negotiated settlement will bring additional financial benefits.”

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The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.








		PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: Ohiariha/ June 26, 2006 For information contact: Brendan White Director of Public Information St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236 Fax: (518) 358-9675 SAINT REGIS MOHAWK TRIBE INTERGRAL PART OF FRANKLIN COUNTY AND ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY ECONOMIES AKWESASNE , NY — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council shared economic information today on employment and the amount of goods purchased and services provided by the Tribe to areas located in the Akwesasne Mohawk land claim area. The information revealed that Franklin County and St. Lawrence County each receive positive economic benefits directly from the Tribe, as well as essential services. “The Tribe has reached out and supports the surrounding economies,” noted Tribal Chief James W. Ransom. “We have a history of providing employment opportunities and providing economic contributions to neighboring counties. The Tribe’s financial activity is important to the region’s overall economic growth,” added Chief Ransom. The Tribe and its two gaming facilities, the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and the Mohawk Bingo Palace , directly employ nearly 1,200 people making it one of the largest employers in the North Country . In 2005, the Tribe paid more than $19 million in wages to Franklin County and St. Lawrence County residents. Franklin County received a total of $11,286,807.30 in wages and St. Lawrence County received $7,991,340.67. Nearly 80 percent of the casino’s 585-person workforce is comprised of non-Natives from surrounding communities. Additionally, 26 percent of the Tribe’s 493 employees are from neighboring counties, as well as 55 percent of the Bingo Palace ’s 116 employees. Several hundred non-Natives also find employment at the more than 110 Mohawk businesses operating in Akwesasne. According to Tribal Chief Barbara A. Lazore, “The casino created 60 new jobs in April and is continually providing new employment opportunities.” Chief Lazore noted, “The growth of our community’s economy has been substantial and is the fastest growing in either Franklin County or St. Lawrence County.” The Akwesasne economy continues to expand and benefits surrounding communities. The Tribe purchased over $8.1 million in goods and services from Franklin County and St. Lawrence County vendors in 2005. St. Lawrence County vendors sold $4.8 million in goods and services to the Tribe, while Franklin County vendors sold $3.3 million. Overall in 2005, the Tribe made at least a $26 million positive impact on the Franklin County and St. Lawrence County economies. The figure represents a significant contribution to the regional economy. The Salmon River Central School District also receives an economic benefit due to the presence of the Tribe in its service area. The School District receives more than 10 percent, or over $1.8 million, of its annual operating budget from the State Education Department due to Mohawk students attending their schools. In comparison, the school district receives 6 percent of its budget from property taxes. The School District receives another $600,000 in federal grants for Native programming. Additionally, in 2005 the Tribe provided $80,000 to fund Salmon River’s summer school program that was attended by Native and non-Native students. “ Northern New York communities are dependent upon each other and our economies need to support one another to survive and grow,” stated Tribal Chief Lorraine M. White. Chief White added, “The Tribe has a long history of cooperating with both counties and resolving our community’s land claim through a negotiated settlement will bring additional financial benefits.” --30-- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.