A look at the various enterprises of Meswaki Inc. was provided to the South Tama School Board during their regular meeting Monday night, Oct. 22, by Mike Canning, the vice president of finance and acting chief executive officer and Anthony Waseskuk, tribal chair.

The board met at the Sac and Fox – Meskwaki- Tribal Center as it does at least once annually.

Canning said the various undertakings of Meskwaki Inc. are self-funded by the Tribe’s own investment and are a diversification from the Meskwaki Bing Casino.

A total of $14.1 million has been invested in building and land improvements which are all located on the Settlement except one, Canning said. He said an additional $2.4 million has been invested in fixed assets. “It’s a significant investment to get started,” he said.

He listed a total of $2.8 million in direct economic impact for the Tribe in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 and $1.5 million in non-Tribal impact.

South Tama School Board meeting at the Sac and Fox - Meskwaki- Tribal Center on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. News-Herald/John Speer

Currently Meskwaki Inc. employs 46 full time Tribal members and 18 non-Tribal members.

He said in additon to operation of the Meskwaki Travel Plaza, Meskwaki Inc. the Big River Trading company distributes goods including Renards brand cigarettes and Outgamie vapor porducts to other sales outlets. The Meskwaki Fuels Company produces Tribal manufactured gasoline for the Travel Plaza.

Canning said plans are ot expand in manufacturing at the large warehouse building located near the travel plaza.

Waseskuk said future plans under study are starting a trade school.