“We are committed to sustainable economic growth that benefits the tribe and the surrounding community, stated Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman. “With our new hotel now under construction, we believe it is time to conduct a wide-ranging and thorough examination of long-term opportunities for further growth.”

The tribe broke ground on an 85-room resort hotel and spa, located adjacent to the tribe's Suquamish Clearwater Casino at Agate Pass between Bainbridge and Poulsbo, in July. The 60,000-square foot facility, which is expected to open next summer, will feature guest rooms with water and mountain views, an indoor-outdoor pool and hot tub, meeting rooms, a bar and room service.

The hotel should be an economic benefit for the tribe, which claims to have suffered from severe unemployment and poverty ever since its Port Madison Indian Reservation was established by the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855. The tribe's economy began to improve significantly after the building of the Suquamish Clearwater Casino in 2003, and the tribe now employs more than 700 people. Most employees reside in nearby off-reservation communities.