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Editorial: Steady and remarkable economic growth of the Cow Creek Tribe of Umpqua Indians spreads throughout Douglas County in ways that county residents did not anticipate 20 years ago.
Editorial
Cow Creeks' success spreads through county
Douglas County residents who have watched the steady and remarkable economic growth of the Cow Creek Tribe of Umpqua Indians probably didn't anticipate how widespread the benefits would be.
As the tribe went from having nothing at all 20 years ago, to having a simple Canyonville bingo parlor, to a small casino and now the grand Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino Resort, observers speculated on how that success might rub off on others.
There were the obvious aspects: the improvement of the lives of members of the tribe, new job creation, and the spin-off benefits of additional visitors lured to the area.
All those predictions came true, in spades. The Cow Creeks have been enormously successful on all those fronts. They have become one of the county's largest employers and are spinning off into ownership and operation of a number of other businesses.
What some people may have not anticipated was the size of another benefit to the area, in donations to civic causes.
On Wednesday, the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation handed out nearly $400,000 in grants to 37 area charities and nonprofits. That's an incredible boost to these groups that are always searching for funding so they can continue their valuable work.
Federal and state money continues to tighten and the recession has reduced private and corporate giving.
Fortunately, during this period, the grant totals given by the Cow Creeks have been going up instead of down.
This is the 10th year of the program that came was born in an agreement with the state that the casino would donate at least 6 percent of net gaming revenues. Since then nearly $3.2 million has been granted by the operation.
In 2002, the total handed out, when added to Wednesday's announcements, is about $950,000. That can have quite an impact.
In addition to charitable contributions, the tribe has also been supportive of economic development growth efforts.
Douglas County is the grateful recipient of such assistance from the Cow Creek Tribe of Umpqua Indians who pulled themselves up to become successful and are doing their part to help the county's residents do the same.
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