Barry Snyder: Seneca Nation expands economy with gaming

We have built a billion-dollar gaming business in Western New York, with our Seneca Niagara, Seneca Allegany and the newly expanded $130 million Seneca Buffalo Creek casinos. In the process, we have created thousands of jobs for Senecas and non-Senecas alike, and have become an important business partner for many local companies, thereby supporting numerous additional jobs in the Western New York economy.

To date, almost $1 billion in exclusivity funding has been paid to New York to support economic development of Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca. As our gaming operations expand, the state and host cities can expect to continue receiving this critically needed revenue.

But our efforts to grow a strong sovereign economy aren’t limited to gaming. A diversified economic base not only benefits our nation but also that of our municipal neighbors. If the nation can start and grow businesses on and off of our territories, we are able to create a “collective benefit” for all of Western New York.