Indian nation has several new construction projects planned

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) _ The Muscogee Creek Nation is in the midst of a construction boom and tribal leaders are hoping for an economic rush. <br><br>The tribe, about 54,000 members in 11 east-central Oklahoma

Saturday, November 9th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) _ The Muscogee Creek Nation is in the midst of a construction boom and tribal leaders are hoping for an economic rush.

The tribe, about 54,000 members in 11 east-central Oklahoma counties, has completed $13 million worth of construction this year.

The Indian nation has two more projects under way and tentative plans for a hotel and events center on its riverfront property in Tulsa.

The Muscogee Creek Nation also was recently certified in the Section 8(a) program of the Small Business Act, which will give the tribe a boost in winning government contracts.

Muscogee Creek Second Chief A.D. Ellis said the Choctaw Nation has been able to do about $150 million worth of government business annually because of its status in Section 8(a), a program to help companies owned and operated by the socially and economically disadvantaged.

``We've got a building boom going and we're trying to keep the momentum,'' said Pat Freeman, construction manager for the tribe. ``Every tribe has its pluses and minuses, and right now one of our pluses is upgrading the services to our people.''

The tribe received grants from various federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 and money from its tribal gambling operations for construction projects.

The Muscogee Creek Nation has gaming centers in Tulsa, Muskogee and Okmulgee, and many of the tribe's 25 communities have their own gaming centers that split profits evenly with the tribe, Ellis said.

``Our economic development in the next year is going to start moving,'' he said. ``This allows us to go after government contracts with a lot of priority.''

Other construction projects for the nation include, a $3.45 million, 14,500-square-foot travel plaza in Muskogee which includes a gaming center, convenience store, restaurant, gasoline pumps and 20 acres and is expected to be completed in April.

The tribe is also planning to build a new Bureau of Indian Affairs office, a housing authority building that will house social service agencies, a 24-unit assisted living center and a commodities warehouse in Okmulgee.