TAHLEQUAH -- The Cherokee Nation's total economic impact on Oklahoma grew during the last year by more than 20 percent, bringing it to $1.3 billion during 2012, according to a report being officially released by the tribe on Tuesday.
The Tulsa World obtained the report on Monday.
The total economic impact is derived from looking at jobs directly contributed by the tribe, vendor purchases, vendor growth and spending as a result of those jobs in the Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses, the tribe's business arm.
Since the tribe's last economic impact report, employment grew by 676 jobs, with about $158 million in additional income, according to the report.
The tribe directly employs more than 9,000 people with thousands more jobs that are indirectly created.
"We broke all records this past year in production output, dividends and number of employees," Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker said in a statement. "When you calculate dollars being invested and their ripple effect, the Cherokee Nation is doing more than its share to grow a healthy Oklahoma."
The announcement credited the growth to improved access to health services with expansions at the tribe's health facilities, expansions to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, and other gaming and entertainment growth.
The diversification of the tribe's business interests in health, education and housing is expected to lead to further economic growth, according to the report.
"Our success is the state's success," Baker said.
"A strong Cherokee Nation means a strong Oklahoma. A thriving Cherokee Nation means more prosperity and jobs in the communities and counties within the tribe's boundaries and all across this great state."
The Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses combined to have the highest economic impact in Tulsa County as compared to the other counties in the tribe's 14-county jurisdiction, according to the report.
In Tulsa County, the Cherokee Nation contributes to 2,446 jobs for a direct income of $97 million.
Applying economic impact multipliers, the tribe boasts a total impact in Tulsa County of more than $355 million, according to the report.
The report was prepared by Kyle Dean, associate director, and Russell Evans, executive director of the Steven C. Agee Economic Research and Policy Institute at Oklahoma City University.
The Cherokee Nation will officially release the report during an event Tuesday at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa in Catoosa.
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