Life on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in northeast Nebraska has been difficult for the population throughout the Tribe’s history here.  By 1988, the only businesses on the reservation were a gas station and a grocery store, both losing money.  The reservation had an unemployment rate of more than 60%, as well as many of the social maladies associated with poverty.

In 1992, after changes to Iowa gambling laws, the Winnebago Tribe opened a casino on tribal land, near the town of Sloan, Iowa.  The casino was an immediate success.  The operation continued to be successful, but in 1994 Iowa expanded gaming in the Tribe’s primary markets.

The Tribe realized that gaming revenues would not be a long-term solution to the Tribe’s overall goal of prosperity.  Ho-Chunk, Inc. (HCI) was formed in 1995 to diversify the Tribe’s investments away from gaming.  The goal was to develop an entrepreneurial company that was able to recognize and develop various economic opportunities.

The Tribe initially financed HCI with gaming income.  However, in just a few short years, due to increased competition, that financing was eliminated.  This was a turning point for HCI.  This “make or break” experience helped mold Ho-Chunk, Inc. into an innovative and aggressive entity committed to developing new revenue streams for the Tribe.

HO-CHUNK TODAY

From one employee in 1995 to over 500 today, HCI has grown into a visionary global enterprise.  HCI operates 18 diverse businesses with operations in eight states and two foreign countries.  Economic impact both on the reservation and in the local region has made HCI a significant and important community partner benefiting the entire region.

In addition to business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing, HCI subsidiaries are actively engaged in the federal government contracting arena.  HCI companies have developed expertise in working with a variety of government entities to provide outstanding products and services on time and on budget.

In 2001, HCI started the Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation (HCCDC), a non-profit organization, whose mission is to make the Winnebago Reservation a better place to live.  HCCDC has exceeded even the best projections, raising millions of dollars for community based social, health, economic, housing and entrepreneurial activities.