COACHELLA, CA – The Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland, joined by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Ken Bellmard, toured economic development projects led by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians to highlight investments and initiatives creating thousands of jobs across the Coachella Valley and greater Riverside County.
Kirkland and Bellmard, accompanied by Tribal Chairman Darrell Mike, visited several sites highlighting the tribe’s ongoing economic development efforts, including Spotlight 29 Casino and Thermal Airport, and inspected locations designated for advanced manufacturing and expanded power generation.
The tour included a visit to Thermal Airport, home to Coulson Aviation’s Air Attack wildfire protection operation, as well as sites demonstrating the tribe’s potential to expand energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. These projects reflect the tribe’s efforts to strengthen the regional economy, create jobs and expand opportunities for surrounding communities.
“Today’s visit showcases what is possible with increased economic ties and coordination between the Trump administration and tribal communities,” said Assistant Secretary Kirkland. “The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians are fueling growth and opportunity across Riverside County and Southern California, and the administration and my office look forward to continuing to support and champion those efforts.”
“We were honored to host Assistant Secretary Kirkland today and show him some of the important work the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians is engaged in,” said Chairman Mike. “We appreciate all the support the administration has shown towards our efforts to expand economic growth and opportunity not only within the tribe’s reservation boundaries, but also our neighboring regions, and I look forward to strengthening and deepening those ties.”
