MARYSVILLE – Tulalip Tribal Chairman Mel Sheldon talked about the sales taxes the tribes send to Olympia each year without getting any money back, at the annual State of the Tribes speech Friday morning.
Each year, through sales taxes at Quil Ceda Village, the tribe generates up to $50 million in taxes, he said. None comes back to offset costs of running the business park. That is why the tribes has filed a lawsuit against the state and Snohomish County to get some of that money back.
He also talked about how the tribes have given more than $63 million to charities, police, courts, homeless shelters, food programs, theater groups, other tribes and more through its Community Charitable Donations program.
“We are honored to share the goodwill that has come our way through gaming,” he said.
He talked about working with Marysville on a shared vision. He specifically mentioned working with Mayor Jon Nehring on the homeless issue. He also talked of the interchange at 116th Street and I-5, which has helped solve a regional transportation issue.
“We have $250 million of investments outlined in our strategic plan for the area, developing and improving infrastructure being just one area,” he said.
He talked about how successful Seattle Premium Outlets has been, and the desire to move forward with “not just business, but the right business.” Between Home Depot and Cabela’s in the undeveloped parcel he sees a sort of “restaurant row” on the horizon.
Collectively, Tulalip enterprises pay close to $120 million in annual wages. Add Seattle Premium Outlets, Walmart, Home Depot, Cabela’s and other businesses, and the area has a huge economic force at Quil Ceda Village, Sheldon said.
“This year we will aggressively look for new businesses to locate at Quil Ceda Village as indicators point toward a better economy,” Sheldon said.
He added that Quil Ceda General Manager Martin Napeahi recently reported that the tribes provides for 3,500 direct jobs and 5,000
indirect jobs, with about 70 percent of the workforce non-tribal living off the reservation.
He said the resort has hosted a number of business conferences this year. And it has a 100-percent occupancy on weekends and 88 percent overall. About 27 percent of those visitors are from Canada.
“As everyone agrees, the business we attract from Canada is good for Tulalip, for Marysville and the region,” he said.
The casino resort has been honored with awards from the Washington Lodging Association, Trip Advisor, King 5, Smart Meeting Magazine and USA Today.
Sheldon talked about partnerships formed with the city, county, state and federal governments. He talked about healing together as a community after the tragic shooting that claimed five lives at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.
Other discussion points included:
• After 20 years of planning and work the Qwuloolt Estury will return to its natural state when the levy is breeched in late summer, flooding 400 acres and allowing salmon habitat to emerge.
• A new Healing Lodge opened in May to offer a transitional program for those in recovery. Tribal members will be able to
stay for up to six months.
• A new justice center.
• Update the old casino.
• Renovations at the new hotel could bring 5 Diamond status.
• The new sports bar Draft and Asian-fusion cuisine Journeys East are very popular.
• The first Tulalip Youth Council was formed this year.
• A new health care system is in the works.
• A new Tulalip Early Learning Academy will start up this fall.
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