The Coeur d’Alene Tribe, fueled by growth in its casino and resort, has emerged as one of the biggest employers in northern Idaho.
A new study by the University of Idaho finds the tribe employed 1,700 workers last year, and those jobs were divided among casino operations, tribal government and other business ventures. The tribe trails Kootenai Health, the region’s top employer and the parent company of the Kootenai Medical Center, and its cancer, heart and other medical clinics.
The study found that about 1,400 people work at the tribe’s casino, resort hotel and the Circling Raven Golf Course in Worley. Tribal officials expect to hire another 200 workers in 2011 after the completion of a $75 million expansion of the casino and hotel complex.
UI researchers estimated that the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has a $300 million annual impact on the region. The figure includes money the tribe spends on wages, purchases of goods and services and a multiplier effect of that money turning over in the local economy.
The tribe also employs 82 workers at its government offices and Echelon, a company formerly known as Berg Manufacturing, which makes fuel bladders for the U.S. Army. The company is fulfilling orders on a $400 million dollar contract with the Army. (AP)
