Oklahoma’s Osage Nation Indian tribe has announced plans to develop a new entertainment district at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, including a new hotel complex that will feature a casino, restaurants, entertainment, and more. The project is expected to be completed in multiple phases with an estimated $60 million investment in the region.
In addition to the entertainment center, the project will include infrastructure and land improvements, additional lodging and long-term parking.
“We have established very good relationships with several communities in Missouri and seek to have a presence back in our homeland,” said Osage Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear.
Historically, the Osage Nation thrived in Missouri with a population of as many as 200,000 members of the Osage Tribe at its height. The Osage Tribe’s historical influence in the Lake region is still found today in homages such as City of Osage Beach, Osage County, and School of the Osage.
As they have done in similar projects, Osage Nation plans to give back to the surrounding communities through philanthropic contributions to local schools, law enforcement and other first responders, local charities and community improvement projects. The Osage Nation is also committed to leveraging local vendors and local businesses whenever possible to provide products and services for the facilities.
Missouri state and local officials together with tourism leaders and other stakeholders expressed support for the new economic development project.
“I am happy the Osage Nation is exploring economic development opportunities in their ancestral homeland,” said state Senator Mike Bernskoetter. “It sounds like a promising opportunity to bring jobs to Missouri, and I am looking forward to working with the Osage Nation as this project develops.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the Lake Region and our entire state,” said state Senator Justin Brown. “I look forward to working with the Osage Nation, community leaders, and my colleagues in the legislature to make this a reality and welcome the Nation home.”
“We are excited to welcome any new development to Lake of the Ozarks that can help grow our tourism community,” said Heather Brown, Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director. “We are looking forward to developing a partnership with the Osage Nation’s new entertainment district at the Lake of the Ozarks. As a CVB, we have been supporting and advocating for economic development and tourism in the tri-county region since 1932.”
“We appreciate the investment and vision that the Osage Nation is willing to make in the great state of Missouri,” said Trey Propes, Missouri Hotel and Lodging Association Board president. “Experienced strategic partners such as the Osage Nation not only bring the obvious jobs, capital and business acumen to this project but also a genuine desire to see the people of the Lake of the Ozarks region and Missouri tourism prosper and thrive for years to come. The Missouri Hotel and Lodging Association looks forward to working with Osage Nation and the people of the Lake Region to grow Missouri’s ever-important and expanding tourism industry right along with them.”
According to the Missouri Department of Economic Development Division of Tourism, tourism in Miller County, where the project will be located, currently generates approximately $40.7 million and 682 jobs annually to the overall impact of tourism in the state. In Camden County, tourism is responsible for $187.45 million and 3,958 jobs.
