December 1, 2021 - SALEM, Ore.— New data shows that a strong majority of Salem and Keizer-area residents support the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indian’s plans to build an entertainment property in North Salem. According to a recent poll conducted by DHM Research, 64% of residents support a Salem-area casino, including nearly every demographic group. North and northeast Salem residents are among the most supportive of the project. Furthermore, resident support for the project is similar or higher than a similar study conducted in 2017.

Slated to begin construction in 2024 or 2025, the 180,800 square foot entertainment, gaming and hotel facility is estimated to bring $231 million in gross revenue. Residents surveyed are particularly optimistic about the 1,200 full-time permanent living-wage jobs the project will bring to Salem. In addition, during the two-year construction phase, the project will generate about 2,300 jobs and $141 million in wages, stimulate $492 million in economic impact and produce $54 million in indirect purchases or spending through supply chains in the local economy.

Those surveyed also showed support for the project’s unprecedented revenue sharing agreement that benefits the state and local government, as well as every participating Tribe. In its gaming proposal, the Siletz Tribe is committing to distribute 25% of the net revenue to State and local governments like the City of Salem, and 50% of the net revenue to the other eight Oregon Tribes to support community-based projects and programs.

“The Tribe is grateful for the outpouring of support the Salem and Keizer community has shown for the Siletz Casino Project,” said Dee Pigsley, Tribal Council Chairman, The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. “We have a unique opportunity to create thousands of good-paying jobs in Salem, generate millions in economic growth and uplift the lives of Tribal communities across Oregon.”

In addition, respondents support the world-class entertainment and tourism the project will bring to Salem. Project plans include a 180,800 square foot casino with 2,000 gaming devices and 45 table games. The property will also feature a 4-star full-service hotel with 500 rooms, 64,000+ square foot multi-purpose event center, pool, spa, plentiful dining options, nightclub and sports bar. According to the poll, more than half of Salem area adults would visit the casino to recreate – even a few project opponents.

Another reason those surveyed support the project is the significant opportunity to modernize Salem’s infrastructure. Plans include significant modernizations to the roads, public transportation and water systems surrounding the property and construction of affordable housing units in the area. Serving as an anchor development, the property will also drive additional investment in North Salem. The facility will be built on the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indian’s trust property, located off Interstate 5, exit 258, Portland Road.

Area residents are also showing their support via a petition recently launched by the Siletz Tribe. More than 1,500 people have signed the petition to bring the Siletz Casino Project to North Salem in the last four weeks. Those who want to show their support can visit Siletz.org and click Sign the Petition.

Research Methodology
From September 30 to October 7, 2021, DHM Research conducted a hybrid telephone and text- to-online survey of 594 registered voters in the City of Salem and the City of Keizer. The purpose of the survey was to assess familiarity with and support for the Siletz Casino Project.

About the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is a confederation of all the tribes of western Oregon. In the 1800s, Siletz ancestors were removed from their homelands and moved to the Siletz Reservation on the coast. Its tribal headquarters is located in Siletz, Oregon and the Tribe has operated government offices in Salem, Portland, Eugene, Lincoln City and Siletz for over 40 years. To find out more about the project, visit Siletz.org.

About DHM
DHM Research has been providing opinion research and consultation throughout the Pacific Northwest and other regions of the United States for over 40 years. The firm is nonpartisan and independent and specializes in research projects to support public policymaking.