(CNSNews.com) – The federal government is giving taxpayer money from the economic stimulus bill to run high-tech, high-speed Internet communications lines to the Navajo Nation, which just invested$200 million in assets from its tribal casino to help speed the process of building five new casinos on Navajo lands in New Mexico and Arizona.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced Thursday that $33 million in taxpayer funds from the stimulus bill will be granted to the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority to place fiber optic cable and microwave cell phone towers on the Navajo reservation, which stretches over the Four Corners region of the southwestern U.S.
“Thanks to the hard work of the National Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA), we’re awarding a Recovery Act grant that will directly fund the deployment of 550 miles of new fiber optic cable and also 59 new or modified microwave towers that will expand or have reach covering some 15,000 square miles in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico,” Locke said.
Two Democratic senators from those states joined Locke on the announcement call with reporters, and described the Navajo reservation as lacking some basic services.
“Many of the homes on the Navajo reservation lack basic telephone service,” said Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.). “Many even lack electricity, and getting this broadband capability…and building this infrastructure is going to dramatically improve the situation for a lot of the people on the Navajo reservation on the Navajo nation and a lot of children growing up in that part of our state.”
Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) even compared the reservation to a Third World nation.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on the Navajo Nation and what many people don’t realize is that people there are living in Third-World conditions, which is very surprising right here in America -- and the primary cause for that is the lack of economic opportunities in development,” Udall said.
“Unemployment, as everybody knows, on the Navajo Nation consistently hovers around 50 percent and I truly believe this award will help change these circumstances,” he added.
Despite those descriptions, the Navajo Nation’s Investment Committee recently announced it would allocate $200 million in assets to help speed the process of building five new casinos on tribal lands in New Mexico and Arizona. That news came on the heels of huge success for its first casino, Fire Rock, which was expected to generate about $32 million in revenue annually.
The National Indian Gaming Commission, which oversees tribal casinos, does not make publicly available any statistics on the profits of individual casinos, but Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise CEO Robert Winter said the casino was outpacing expectations by about threefold.
With those numbers in mind, CNSNews.com asked Secretary Locke why the Navajo needed taxpayer money for broadband services.
Locke made a distinction between the Navajo investment committee and the utility NTUA which had applied for the grant and was putting up $10 million of its own.
“The applicant for this project is the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority,” Locke said. “I think 30 percent of the total cost of the project will be put up by the authority and/or their partner. But this issue is private sector companies like Comnet and others or the traditional telephone companies or cable providers -- internet service providers.
The Commerce secretary added: “Oftentimes it’s been our experience all across the country that, but for this infusion of federal dollars, those private sector entities are not willing and unable to make the investment in these high-speed Internet highways from which they can then tap into and provide direct service to individuals and homes, and so that is where the tribe and the federal government come in.
Locke likened the expenditure to any other infrastructure investment the federal government would make.
“We provide this basically highway just like an interstate system. Local governments then tap into it or connect into it directly providing service to their local communities. In this case, the private sector like Comnet Wireless is interested in tapping into and connecting into the fiber optic and wireless system that we’re creating, and we’re hooking up the major institutions -- hospitals, libraries, colleges, universities or educational institutions and government institutions -- and from that the private sector will tap into it and directly connect to homes and businesses.”
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was passed last March at a cost of $787 billion and has since been the such of much debate over how much of the spending has spurred economic growth.

Each casino property offers an exciting gaming experience, as well as unique dining opportunities and live entertainment. In addition, Twin Arrows offers a four-diamond resort and award-winning restaurants. Our properties in Arizona and New Mexico showcase the rich Navajo spirit through art, architecture, hospitality and cuisine.

Join the club, begin earning your way to fabulous benefits and personal services, and enjoy the legendary Navajo hospitality

Yá’ át’ ééh!

Welcome to Navajo Gaming, a Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (NNGE). We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our mission, exciting properties, where we’re located, access articles and press releases about us in the news, career opportunities and more.

Navajo Nation Casino Closure

Make your first deposit to have your money Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Employment matched 100% up to £100 and 300 spins on Starburst awarded! Total of 4 Deposit Bonuses! Well Designed Casino; Alot of Freespins! Mobile Casinos 2019. The Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort is working on an agreement with the Navajo Nation to postpone paying down its debt until business picks up at the 6-month-old enterprise. Its owner, the Navajo. Located off I-40, exit 219, near Flagstaff, Arizona. Here, art and architecture have combined to both embody and showcase the rich history of the Navajo people, while providing an unparalleled casino resort experience. Twin Arrows provides the very latest in gaming, often debuting new slot machines before they hit other casinos. If you bet €200 on colour Navajo Casino Revenue in Roulette you basically have 49% chance to win €400 when only risking €100 of your own money. Navajo Casino Revenue If you win, then you head to Navajo Casino Revenue the slots and bet pretty decent stakes in order to get a big win so that you can clear the wagering requirements.

Since its inception in 2004, NNGE has created over one thousand three hundred jobs with a focus on hiring and training Navajos and has distributed millions of dollars in revenue to both the Nation and State governments. We are proud of each employee that works tirelessly to create an unforgettable experience for guests. We are also grateful for our board, Navajo Nation government, loyal patrons and surrounding communities that have supported us and our growth.

Fire Rock Navajo Casino

Ahe`hee. (Thank You)

Navajo Nation Casinos Arizona

Navajo Gaming was established in 2006, with the goal of providing modern, gaming entertainment within Navajoland for visitors and locals alike.

How Many Casinos Does The Navajo Nation Have

Now operating four properties in New Mexico and Arizona. We are honored to showcase over 2,800 of the latest slot machines, a variety of table games, bingo, and a AAA Four- Diamond hotel with convention space, many casual and fine dining restaurant choices, and live entertainment.

Navajo Casino Money