Beyond the fears, there are advantages to STEP

June 7 and 8 were a couple of banner days for the Spokane Tribe of Indians.

On June 7, they received word they had been designated a Promise Zone by the federal government, a move putting them near the top of the list when they apply for economic development grants and other assistance.

The next day, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee concurred with a 2015 U.S. Department of the Interior ruling that the tribe’s casino project should move forward despite opposition from the Spokane County Commissioners, Greater Spokane Incorporated and other local special interest groups. Inslee and Interior agreed tha...