Editorial: Bad news for Cowlitz Tribe's casino project

Tuesday, January 26, 2010  

"Dark, dreary and durable as the economic recession cloud remains, there are occasional, relatively minor silver linings that appear from time to time. One has been the slump’s stunning impact on tribal casinos across the country, and the residual thwarting effect on new casino development efforts. Translated locally, that can only mean bad news for the Cowlitz Tribe’s proposal for a tribal casino near La Center.

The Columbian has strongly opposed the project for years, mostly because of numerous deleterious effects the mega-casino would have on the local quality of life. And as much as we lament the tough economic times and long for a swift recovery locally, statewide and nationally, any restriction this recession places on the Cowlitz project can only be seen as a positive for Clark County. We’re certain the casino promoters are paying attention to what’s happening elsewhere in the state. The Seattle Times on Saturday reported that revenue “dipped as much as 30 percent at some tribal casinos in the state in 2009. The Nooksack tribe is in court with its lender and the Snoqualmie tribe is struggling to make payments on its casino debt. The Skokomish tribe closed its casino last fall rather than keep hemorrhaging cash.”

All of which proves that promises of casino promoters — as with all business development interests — are subject to the whimsy of fragile economic conditions. For example, any jobs projections, this recession has proved, should be consider speculative and temporary."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Silver Lining (The Columbian 1/26)

Earlier Story:
Washington tribes see good and bad amid recession (1/25)