Oregon Public Broadcasting

Several Northwest tribes are planning to use federal aid granted this week for reservation development projects.

Nationwide, the stimulus package includes $1 billion in federal aid for tribes.

For the Umatilla Tribes of Oregon, the money comes in the form of tax-exempt bonds. The tribes plan to use the cash to build a 200-room hotel, pool and multi-event center near their established casino resort.

Gary George is the chief of operations for the Wildhorse Resort and Casino. He says the new facilities could help employ 100 people and take a bite out of the reservation's 13 percent unemployment rate.

Gary George: "We're not a big urban population center so creating 100 jobs is going to have a significant impact in our region.”

Although the tribes will get a low interest rate and won't pay taxes on the bonds, they will have to pay the money back. Under federal rules the bonds can't be used to expand the tribes' casino.