TULALIP — Tribal members are planning to gather today to celebrate the opening of the first Tulalip-owned gas station.
The Tulalip Tribes Chevron is at 2832 116th St. NE, near Quil Ceda Village, said Teresa Meece, events manager at Quil Ceda Village.
It opened for business Monday morning, following a traditional blessing.
The gas station has been on the wish list of many tribal members for years, Meece said. The tribes finally came up with the funds this year and went ahead with the project.
The tribe expects to save money by fueling their own fleet, Meece said. Almost 100 vehicles are used for various tribal business, including police cars, garbage trucks and maintenance vehicles.
“It will be more efficient for us,” Meece said. Tribal members also will receive a 20-cent discount per gallon at the new station, she said.
The gas station is equipped with eight pumps, 16 dispensers and a payment kiosk. Gas prices will be kept competitive, Meece said. Additional pumps are in the works, and a 1,000-square-foot convenience store is expected to be open by the end of 2010. A car wash also may be built later.
New jobs also are a welcome addition, Meece said. Five tribal members are already working the gas station. Three tribal subcontractors helped build it. By the time the project is complete, the gas station is expected employ more than 30, including part-time employees.
Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
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