As an economic force in central Oklahoma, Citizen Potawatomi Nation continued to contribute to the growth and sustainability of Oklahoma and its communities in 2021. A government report released earlier this year shows the Nation’s economic impact increased from $546 million in 2020 to $729 million in 2021 — a total of $183 million. Over the last 15 years, the numbers show an expansion of $350 million.
The report also outlined the Nation’s strength as a job creator, remaining the county’s largest employer in 2021 with 1,950 employees. Wages and benefits totaled $96 million last year with a more than $200 million effect on the local economy.
Throughout 2020 and continuing into 2021, the majority of CPN’s government expenses were spent on health services and associated costs. CPN Health Services totaled nearly 35,000 physician visits and more than 4,800 dental visits; filled nearly 282,000 prescriptions; welcomed visitors to its wellness center more than 13,300 times; and vaccinated more than 16,000 community members for the coronavirus, both Native and non-Native.
During 2021, the Tribe also served 2,500 employment and training clients and assisted more than 17,400 community members through its Women, Infants and Children department. FireLodge Children and Family Services’ client contacts and services totaled more than 1,800 for the year, and the Child Development Center served nearly 1,300 youths through direct care and support. Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Department of Education also dispersed more than $6 million spread out over 3,619 scholarships across the country.
Looking at Tribal enterprises, CPN’s 2021 total income from those businesses exceeded more than $484 million. They include the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort, the FireLake Discount Foods grocery store chain, FireLake Casino and more.
CPN’s financial institutions also saw exceptional growth in 2021. The Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation, CPN’s community development financial institution, surpassed more than $54 million in total assets. Since its founding in 2003, the CPCDC has made more than $109 million in commercial loans, $9.7 million in employee loans, and provided more than 37,800 hours in financial education and business development assistance to help clients and employees reach their goals.
In July 2021, the First National Bank & Trust Co., the largest tribally-owned national bank in the United States, acquired The First State Bank of Oklahoma City and its locations in OKC, Midwest City and Canute as well as a loan production office in Edmond. Now with 10 locations, FNB increased its total assets to more than $710 million after the merger, and it plans to keep improving and expanding its services to Tribal members and all clients across the country.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation makes substantial contributions to the larger community and state, and 2021 was no exception with more than $2 million in donations and funding. Overall, it made more than $39.6 million in tax payments to the state and other municipal appropriations. Public schools in surrounding communities received more than $324,000 from CPN to help expand their offerings to students and improve education in Pottawatomie County.
The Nation also makes an economic impact through the ownership and operation of Rural Water District 3, which added a second water treatment plant in the last two years. The CPN Housing Department provided down payment assistance to more than 260 families, and the Title VI Program provided more than 18,000 daily meals to Tribal elders.
Despite difficulties both globally and locally throughout the last three years, the Tribe continues to serve its community and improve its economic impact each year for the betterment of Pottawatomie County and the Nation’s larger jurisdiction.
Read more about Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s services, enterprises and employment opportunities at potawatomi.org.