CATTARAUGUS/ALLEGANY TERRITORY – SENECA NATON OF INDIANS – The Seneca Nation of Indians will begin to pursue off-territory construction work under a new entity called 7 GENS. Up until now, the Nation had been contracting only on-territory work through its construction entity Seneca Construction Management Corporation. The construction company will continue to work on territory projects including at all three of the Nation’s Class III casino properties, Seneca Gaming & Entertainment, housing development, Seneca business enterprises, natural gas and renewable energy projects and more.
“When we were initially chartered as a Nation business entity, it was only approved to bid on projects that were within the boundaries of our territories,” said Seneca Construction Management Corp. President Todd Gates. “With the approval and support of the Nation’s elected leaders and Tribal Council, we are able to now broaden the scope of where we can compete for new public and private sector construction work.”
Under the current leadership, the organization evaluated its current business structure and recognized the need to develop a stronger business portfolio to create newly generated profits for the company. Because of its reputation to provide quality services under budget, Seneca Construction Management Corp. has had several requests to engage in doing business off territory but was not authorized to do so by the Nation.
Seeing the need and the unmet opportunities, the corporation developed a business plan to seek outside contracts. With the full support of the SCMC board of directors including: Chairman Ronald Kenjockety, Bruce Abrams, Bruce Williams, Larry Bacellia, and Scott Snyder, 7 GENS can now expand its business opportunities and services, identify new industries for growth potential and increase profits by engaging in doing business off territory. The plan was presented to the current administration and Tribal Councilors who fully supported the initiative.
7 GENS will provide construction management services and self-perform as a general contractor. In addition, the new company is filing to become a certified NYS Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), a status which will help it achieve its goals and objectives to increase profits by engaging in new opportunities focused along the eastern seaboard.
“As an organization, we are totally committed to secure gainful employment for our people as our first priority,” said Gates. “We are currently expanding and looking to hire Senecas for several positions within our organizational structure. Our goal is to win bids in both the private and public sectors that will increase profits for our company, the Nation and our people.”
Both Seneca Construction Management Corp. and 7 GENS are looking to grow into leading edge construction technologies such as energy, medical and nanoscience fields to meet local industry demands for both on and off-territory projects. Training in these areas provides higher quality employment and opportunities for continued growth.
This past year Seneca Construction Management Corp. financed a training program with the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), for a six week program for 20 students to learn about construction management. This program gave them the opportunity to gain college credits and hands on experience with building technologies.
“We are dedicated to continually provide technical training for our staff to be proficient in cutting edge new technology to remain competitive in the construction industry,” Gates added. “I am confident with our new business plan, that both construction companies will succeed in generating even higher net profits to transfer annual dividends to the Seneca Nation which will in turn improve the quality of life for our Seneca people and accomplish our unified goal to create initiatives to generate profits through diversification.”