Monday, May 22, 2006

As reported by the Bellingham Herald (Washington): "The Nooksack Tribe plans
to open a casino in March near the Canadian border between the Lynden and
Sumas crossings. "The 35,800-square-foot Northwood Crossing Casino is
expected to create 250 jobs with a $6 million payroll. Anyone can apply for
jobs, although Nooksack tribal members would get preference.."The tribe
intends to use revenue from the new casino to move and expand the Nooksack
River Casino in Deming.

"The goal, said Mike Wootan, manager of the Nooksack River Casino, is to
move the Deming casino to a 40-acre site opposite the current location and
build a hotel and resort alongside it.

"The new $14 million casino would be built by the Nooksack Construction Co.
and run by the tribe without outside partners.

"To avoid cannibalizing its own business, the Nooksack River Casino is
shifting its marketing focus, Wootan said. With a hotel, visitors to Mount
Baker can ski during the day and have a place to sleep and gamble at night.

"Bellingham company 2020 Engineering conducted a feasibility study for the
tribe 18 months ago that concluded casinos could draw in more business."