Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cherokee Nation Businesses reports year-over-year growth but misses some revenue targets, executive says
Summary
Cherokee Nation Businesses reported year-over-year revenue growth driven by Cherokee Federal and reservation gaming same-store gains versus 2019, while enterprise revenue remained slightly under budget for the period and net income met or exceeded expectations.
Ben Bloche, representing Cherokee Nation Businesses, reported to the Tribal Council that December and first-quarter 2025 results showed year-over-year revenue growth but were slightly under budget for some revenue lines. "For the month, on a revenue basis, we finished up year over year, but, less than we expected in our budget," Bloche said, noting that growth was "attributable to Cherokee Federal, with a slight decrease at C and E." He told the council that softer gaming markets returned after a strong November but that on a same-store basis comparing reservation gaming in 2025 through the first quarter with 2019 through the first quarter, "revenue is up 13% and EBITDA is up 25%."
Bloche said enterprise net income finished over budget for the month because expenses were lower than expected, and that year-to-date revenue was "within 1% of our revenue budget, but not quite there." He added that net income for the period was at or above budget and that the business enterprise had become more efficient.
During the report, a council member thanked Cherokee Nation Businesses for volunteer work at a community food distribution event in Tulsa; Bloche acknowledged the volunteer effort and said it was "not the worst thing to get out of the office and help some people out during the day."
