- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Economic Development
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has acquired Marksville, La.-based Peerless Cleaners, a historic business established nearly a century ago. Terms were not disclosed.
The acquisition, which includes a building that dates back to 1910, aligns with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s objective of preserving local heritage while fostering economic growth in central Louisiana.
In a statement, Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite emphasized the importance of this move, stating, “The acquisition of Peerless Cleaners highlights the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s dedication to economic growth and job creation in central Louisiana.”
The Tribe plans to maintain the business’s long-standing quality while investing in its future, Pierite said. This includes repairing and restoring the building and converting a historic hotel on the premises into a museum. The tribe will retain all 13 current employees and is seeking grants to expand services and revitalize the organization.
The acquisition is part of a broader strategy by the tribe to enhance economic opportunities and strengthen its economic base. Earlier this year, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe hosted the third annual Louisiana Rural Economic (LaRuE) Development Summit, which focused on various aspects of economic development, including healthcare, education, and grant applications. The summit aimed to connect leaders and business owners with resources and strategic partners to foster rural economic growth.
Additionally, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has leveraged federal funding to support other economic initiatives over the past year. Last July, the tribe received a $1.6 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to restore and rehabilitate the Garan Building in Marksville. This facility will house both a manufacturing operation and a cut-and-sew textile business, with plans to produce tribally branded products and potentially bid on federal contracts.
In 2023, Tunica-Biloxi also signed a historic partnership agreement with a local college to advance research and economic development, obtained its 8(a) certification, and cut the ribbon on a TopGolf Swing Suite at its Paragon Casino.
