Bill John Baker: Cherokee Nation creates a new 'field of dreams'

I am proud to report Cherokee Nation is developing its own ‘field of dreams’ in Tahlequah, as we recently announced plans for the largest single economic development investment in the history of our capital city.

Like the movie, right now the future Cherokee Springs Plaza is just a 150-acre field. But on the horizon is a $170 million, five-year project. It will be a destination attraction with fine dining, entertainment and shopping. These shops and eateries will be a mix of national and local options that are not currently found in Tahlequah.

This project allows us to enhance the tourism footprint of the Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah, grow our local economy and create hundreds of new jobs for Cherokee people. Those income dollars will bring in more sales tax and more disposable income for everyone. The prosperity of this project will ripple across northeast Oklahoma.

As a lifelong businessman, I can tell you investment opportunities like these are rare, indeed. We now have a chance to build something that will create a positive change for our tribe, our people and our community for years to come. To me, that is real hope for a better future.

Cherokee Springs Plaza, designed to be more than 1.3 million square feet of mixed use space, will adjoin the 18-hole Cherokee Springs Golf Course, which the tribe also owns. The eventual relocation of Cherokee Casino Tahlequah and the addition of a hotel and convention center will allow more events to be hosted right here in our backyard, rather than having to drive to other areas for banquets and receptions. It will be an ideal site for conferences and meetings. The amenities will be second to none and will attract people and tourism dollars. It cements our place as the entertainment leader in northeast Oklahoma.