Some big bucks in the pipeline for southern Utah's tiny Cedar Band of the Paiute nation could bring an economic boost to an Indian tribe that federal authorities have not always treated so well.
The Cedar's 265 members comprise one of five bands that make up the Paiutes -- 865 people, spread from Millard to Washington counties.
The federal government recently awarded $10.5 million in tax-free economic development bonds to the Cedar City-based group. It is significant, said Lora Tom, the band's chairwoman. It's the first time the Paiute tribe has applied for such funding.
Money from sale of the bonds will go toward the creation of a retail and travel facility south of Cedar City.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for the Cedar Band," Tom said. "And it paves the way for the other [Paiute] bands to follow."
The five bands of the Paiutes --- the Cedar, Indian Peaks, Kanosh, Koosharem and Shivwits --- conduct business separately and collectively. The Paiute tribal council consists of a representative from each group. Also, each band has its own council that pursues economic development.
For example, the Cedar Band operates a successful IT service company, Suhdutsing Technologies, according to Travis Parashonts of Cedar Band Enterprises.
Nonetheless, the Paiutes have struggled since 1954 when the federal government rescinded its recognition of the tribe, said Gaylord Robb, the tribe's economic development director. In 1980, Congress re-established recognition of the Paiutes and returned some of the lands taken from the five bands.
However, the federal government gave back no water -- a fact that continues to hinder development.
The recent government-backed bond allocation is not a grant, but rather, a loan, Robb said. The Cedar Band will sell the bonds and then must retire them over a period of time that's undetermined.
About $1 billion in federal stimulus bonds was awarded to 58 American Indian groups, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Cedar Band was the only such entity in Utah to receive them.
Funding from the bonds will get the band's retail plan off the ground.
A convenience store and a gas station are planned to be the first phase of the retail facility, Tom said. The development eventually will include a hotel and golf course on 23 acres the Cedar Band owns about 10 miles south of Cedar City.
"Up until now, it's been a dream," Tom said. "Now it's becoming more of a reality than a dream."
