Stephen Manydeeds: Everyone Prospers from Tribal Energy and Mineral Development

The following graphs show that when energy and minerals are developed on Indian lands, they have a significant beneficial impact on surrounding communities.

Although this information is from 2019 (latest available data), it shows that when energy and mineral development has occurred on Indian lands, there is an increase in retail stores, employment, and other economic activity both on the reservation and adjacent thereto.

Tribal leaders need to make sure their congresspersons and senators are aware that when a tribe thrives, so do the neighboring, non-tribal communities, adding another reason why the federal government should support tribes as they seek to develop their energy and mineral resources.

2019 Energy & Mineral Economic Impact on Indian Lands

Total Contributions to the National Economy

Direct Economic Contribution (sales in billions)	Jobs	Value Added (billions, $)	Total Economic Contributions (billions, $)
7.98	78,320	9.66	16.06

National Economy Includes value of crops and jobs produced from irrigation water* Renewable Energy Tribal renewable energy production was associated with about $100 million in value added, about $171 million in economic output, and supported an estimated 775 jobs.*** Sand and gravel or other industrial minerals Tribal sand and gravel production was associated with about $240 million in value added, about $410 million in economic output, and supported and estimated 1,714 jobs.Source: U.S. Department of the Interior Economic Report, Fiscal year 2019