Oklahoman
A road project to remedy choke points on State Highway 9 near I-35 and the Riverwind Casino has become embroiled in tensions between Gov. Kevin Stitt and Native American tribes and may be delayed, despite years of planning and an apparent agreement between the transportation department and the Chickasaw Nation.
Tim Gatz, executive director of the Oklahoma Transportation Department, said Monday that the project will be reevaluated and a broader solution sought for the congested area in fast-growing McClain County.
Gatz, who was appointed by Stitt and serves as the governor’s transportation secretary, told the transportation commission that he was also instituting a new protocol for road projects undertaken with tribal partners. He said it was “prudent under the current uncertain conditions” to seek advice from Stitt’s office when considering agreements with tribes.
Jim Stafford
Special to Oklahoman
Bill Anoatubby has been governor of the Chickasaw Nation since 1987 and has overseen exponential growth of the tribe’s employment and business interests. In 1987 the tribe had about 250 employees. Today, the Chickasaw Nation employs almost 13,000 people. Gov. Anoatubby took time to answer these questions about the tribe’s economic development efforts.
Q: What are the areas of business development your tribe is focusing on for the future?
A: We plan to continue investing in our entertainment, hospitality and tourism businesses which have proven very successful over the years. We are also continuing to diversify our business portfolio. Chickasaw Community Bank and Chickasaw Nation Industries provide examples of that diversification. Chickasaw Nation Industries focuses on government contracting, engineering, manufacturing and telecommunications support. We are also investing in a number of commercial health care ventures.