Coushatta expands casino resort

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• published: 10 Sep 2012
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KINDER, LA-- By Bill Leger A small Indian tribe of only 900 members is having a large impact on the Southwest Louisiana economy. The Coushatta tribe and its casino in Kinder, Louisiana are now one of the state's largest private employers. And much of its success is fueled by money from 'Texas' visitors. Now the tribe is hoping a multi million dollar hotel project will attract even more people from the Golden Triangle and the rest of the Lone Star state. The Coushatta tribal dancers performed as Chairman Kevin Sickey and other tribe and casino officials cut the ribbon on the new Seven Clans Hotel at the casino resort in Kinder. It was a gamble the tribe was willing to take even with a sluggish economy. "It was a concern, but we also knew the additional rooms and amenities were critical, and of course we were hoping the economy would improve as it has slowly but surely," said casino General Manager Conrad Granito. The new 401 room luxury hotel is the biggest expansion of the casino complex since 2001. A primary reason behind it was to provide more room for overnight guests, especially those from Texas. Tribal Council Member David Sickey told KFDM, "now we'll be able to offer those individuals all of the amenities of this property including a wonderful room to stay in." The tribe says it is now the fourth largest private employer in Louisiana with about 2600 employees, which is even larger than the population of the small town of Kinder. "Taking one of the poorest parishes or counties in Louisiana, Allen parish and turning it into an economic and social mecca," said Sickey. Kinder City Councilman Lowell Keys said before the casino opened some worried it would lead to more crime, but he said it's been nothing but positive. "They are super supportive when it comes to the schools, the civic clubs, the churches, it's been great," Keys told KFDM. Before the casino opened, many of the Coushatta's lived in deplorable conditions on their reservation near Elton, LA. "only a few short decades ago, if you visited the Coushatta tribal reservation in Elton, you would have probably thought you were visiting a Third World country. However, the success of the casino means tribal members have new or remodeled houses, free college tuition, including room and board, and free health care with a free pharmacy. With about 65% the casino's business coming from Texas, it's an important market for the tribe. "It's absolutely critical and important to the success of the Coushatta Casino Resort," said Sickey. If the Coushatta's are right and the new hotel attracts even more Texans, they'll have reason to dance for many more years to come.The Seven Clans Hotel is open for business and the tribe expects to open a lazy river next to the new hotel by the end of the month.