COEUR d'ALENE - The Coeur d'Alene Tribe knows a little something about economic development.

Chief Allan recalled a time, not all that long ago, when the Tribe employed about 20 people.

"The Tribe didn't have anything and our Tribal members didn't have anything either," Allen told those attending the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce annual luncheon Wednesday at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

"I tell you this not so you can feel sorry for me or for the tribal members in any way, but rather to help personify the true meaning of economic development," said Allan, chairman of the Tribal Council.

Today, the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel and Circling Raven Golf Club employ more than 1,100 people. Throw in the Tribe's government operations and business enterprises, and it employs more than 1,700 people, with 60 percent of the workforce being non-tribal.

"Which means in many ways we are connected," Allan said.

The Tribe had the University of Idaho conduct an economic impact study, which showed the Tribe's impact on the North Idaho region is more than $309 million. Almost 4,100 jobs were supported directly or indirectly by the Tribe's presence, he said.

"That means a significant portion of that money goes right back into the Coeur d'Alene economy for goods, services, paychecks and so on," he said.

The Tribe has started other new businesses to be more diversified, and plan to continue those efforts.

"In fact, since my tenure as chairman, we have started seven new companies under the Tribe's portfolio," Allen said.

He has been chairman since 2005.

The Tribe, obviously, has come a long way in the last 20 years, he said.

"One of the biggest reasons the Tribe has come so far from where we were economically is our gaming facility," Allan said. "It started as a bingo hall that employed only a handful of people in the early '90s."

Some were not enthusiastic about a casino being built on the reservation. The Tribe argued the gaming would bring economic sustainability to the poorest area in the state.

The Tribe was right.

Now, many people are wondering about the wisdom of undertaking a $75 million expansion of the resort casino near Worley.

He said the economic downturn is the perfect time to take such an action. The Tribe believes the economy is coming back.

"We're already seeing an upswing in the economy," he said.

Idaho is leading the way in the recovery, he said.

"I'm proud that the Coeur d'Alene Tribe is part of that recovery."

Allan thanked the chamber for its work and presented it with a check for $10,000. He said it is a reminder of the Tribe's commitment to North Idaho and the region's economy.