A Digital Future for Business on the Catawba Reservation
How the Catawba Digital Economic Zone is working to provide the Catawba Nation with more economic opportunities
By Leo Schaffer
Editor's note: The author of this article is a Zone Authority Commissioner appointed by the General Council via the Executive Committee.
The Catawba Digital Economic Zone, or CDEZ, is a business venture for the tribe that provides a competitive edge due to our unique set of circumstances as a Nation. The CDEZ provides online businesses a place to "set up shop" and conduct business electronically. This means there is no physical footprint for these businesses on our land.
The CDEZ is owned by the team of entrepreneurs and the Catawba Nation, with the latter owning the majority of the business. This kind of business-hosting platform is not unheard of in the global community, or even Indian Country. Other tribes have taken advantage of their unique circumstances and privileges as a federally recognized tribes in this way. Because the CDEZ is majority-owned by the Nation, some of the profits generated will be passed to tribal citizens, in similar ways to profits from Two Kings Casino.
Now, as a member of the tribe, you may be asking yourself what you have to do as an individual citizen of the Nation to reap these benefits. The short answer is: nothing. The General Council has already voted to approve this project and showed continued support and interest in its development. That continued support and interest is the fuel that will continue to drive this project into fruition.
The CDEZ is happy to inform the Nation that it is moving forward as planned! While bureaucracy, negotiations, and careful legal review goes on behind the scenes, the project presses forward. Certain aspects of our tribal government can be frustratingly slow, so if you would like to see a second stream of income coming into Catawba households, ask tribal leaders and our community what can be done to move the project forward.
Some may ask "why do we need something like CDEZ when we have Two Kings Casino?" Simply put - diversification. If, for instance, the Cherokee had succeeded in their appeal to suspend the construction of Two Kings, our revenue would have been cut off. CDEZ offers extra insurance for a better future for our Nation. A Catawba Future.
For any further questions about the Catawba Digital Economic Zone, contact the Zone Authority Commissioner Chair, Sam Trimnal, at sam.trimnal@zoneauthority.io. More information on the CDEZ will be shared as it becomes available.