ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The latest findings in a survey conducted every five years by the U.S. Census Bureau show some growth in businesses owned by Alaska Natives and American Indians, but the increase has failed to equal more jobs.
Survey results released Tuesday show almost 237,000 businesses brought in a total of more than $34 billion in receipts in 2007, a 28 percent increase from 2002.
Most of the businesses were owner-operated and had no employees. The remaining 23,704 businesses had about 184,400 paid employees, a 3.6 percent drop.
Census officials say the survey doesn’t include tribally owned businesses, such as casinos, or businesses owned by Alaska Native regional or village corporations.
The figures were released as tribal leaders gather in Las Vegas for an economic summit organized by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. Speakers on Tuesday urged tribes to go beyond gambling and tobacco to create revenue for their economies.
