Without question, the activities of the Chumash tribe over the past decade or so have been the center of attention in the Santa Ynez Valley and much of the Central Coast.

The tribe’s casino/hotel complex near the village of Santa Ynez is the mid-county’s largest non-agricultural business, and among the region’s leading employers in terms of total volume of work force.

For better or for worse, the Chumash being the focus of attention has been and will continue to be a two-edged sword.

As a viable commercial entity, the tribe is unrivaled. Besides the casino/hotel operation, the Chumash have purchased other local, non-tribal businesses. Their commercial empire is expanding and will likely continue to expand, because of an impressive revenue stream.

As a neighbor, however, the tribe’s activities have raised some hackles, first by bringing legalized gambling to an area that didn’t necessarily want gambling. As that enterprise grew, it financed further growth plans, some of which have only recently been made public.