On Sept. 21, Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and CEO of Nation Enterprises including Turning Stone Resort Casino, presented testimony to the NYS Senate Committee on State-Native American Relations chaired by Sen. George Maziarz. Later in the day he was interviewed for YNN’s “Capital Tonight” that aired last evening http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/09/oneidas-halbritter-talks-economic-partnerships/

Halbritter told the legislative panel, “Fifty years from now when this hearing is held, not one Indian Nation represented here today will have relocated out of state or stopped making significant investments into the communities we represent.” He stated, “It’s critical that members of the State Legislature and the Administration understand this essential point - we are governments obligated to invest our revenues and resources into our ancestral lands and surrounding communities right here in New York. This is the real story that many would rather not discuss.”

According to the Oneida Nation leader, “In an era of economic insecurity, with countless examples of businesses leaving this state in order to better compete in the global market, Indian Nations have proven to be a stabilizing economic force willing to make the type of long-term financial investments that are so uncommon in today’s economy.”

Central New York was once one of the leading manufacturing centers of this country until numerous companies closed up and moved out of state or overseas. Halbritter said, “At the same time that these companies were leaving New York, the Oneidas were investing back into the community.” He added, “In the process, the Oneida Indian Nation emerged as one of the most positive economic forces in Central New York.”

The Oneida Indian Nation is the largest employer in Oneida and Madison counties and according to the CNY Business Journal’s “2010 Book of Lists” the third-largest employer in the 16 counties that make up Central New York, behind only Cornell University and the State University Health System.

Halbritter said that the Nation employs nearly 5,000 people in Central New York with a payroll last year that topped $125 million and its Turning Stone Resort Casino draws more than four and a half million visitors a year. He went on to say that the Nation invests in many other businesses, including its SavOn chain of convenience stores, RV Park; three marinas, Indian Country Today Media Network, an animation studio called Four Directions Productions, a fishing lodge and a car care center.