The merger combines corporations under a single corporation,management structure and name: Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Resort &Casino. The $5-million expansion is the most extensive constructionproject since the casino was built for $6 million in 1996. The goalis to increase room occupancy, effect greater casino spending perroom night, and improve customer service.

"After considerable evaluation and market research on thepotential benefits of the proposed merger, both boards of directorsand the Tribal Council agreed that this move makes a lot of sense,"says Olney Patt Jr., chairman of the Tribal Council of TheConfederated Tribes of Warm Springs. "With diminishing timberrevenues and other issues challenging our long-term economicsustainability and self-sufficiency, we need to embrace thisopportunity to better use all our resources to benefit the entirecommunity.

"The integrated corporation provides new opportunities torepurpose and re-energize the Kah-Nee-Ta brand, assume a morecompetitive market posture, enhance operational efficiencies andaugment sustained revenue growth."