Not everyone in the Mountain Area is happy about the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indian's plans to build a gas station and retail center at the corner of Highway 41 and Lucky Lane in Coarsegold.

Mighty Oak Capital, a venture capital firm representing the Rancheria, recently announced plans to build Chukchansi Crossing on the northeast corner of the intersection to the casino. Access to the station will be off Lucky Lane.
The 10,000-square-foot center will have 15 gas and diesel pumps, a travel center, restaurants and a Native American smoke shop.

"Chukchansi Crossing will create more than 15 to 20 jobs, substantially help the welfare and economic diversity of the Chukchansi people who have historically had significant obstacles to competing and thriving in the mainstream economy," said Case Lawrence, Chukchansi Inc., CEO. "Finally, by providing gasoline to the public at significant discounts, it will positively affect the budgets and financial health of every household in the mountain community."

Madera County Planner Norman Alinder said that although the county has no regulatory authority over the project, the architects and engineers coordinate with the county and the California Department of Transportation over safety issues.

But Chet Shah, owner for almost seven years of the Chevron gas station on Highway 41, less than a quarter mile north of Lucky Lane, is concerned for the welfare of his business.
"It's going to be tough for us to stay in the business now," Shah said. "The economy is already bad and we've already been struggling since 2008. Now it's going to be worse."

Shah hopes customers will prefer his Chevron brand gas over Chukchansi Crossing's fuel. He plans to keep his prices as low as possible and keep his food service open longer hours to combat the competition.
"I'm trying to work hard and do as much as I can and hope for the best," Shah said.

Lawrence replied to Shah's concerns saying this is all part of any competitive gas business.
"If they don't survive it is because they are not a viable business in their own right," Lawrence said. "Its (Chevron) main source of business is the casino and traffic related to the casino so the tribe has provided economic means to that business for many years. Competition has always been part of the American economy."

Lawrence added that there will always be a market for more expensive name brand gas like Chevron. "The real story here is that the Chukchansi tribe, who historically has not had a fair shot to compete in the American economy, is finally getting a seat at the table."

Shah is also concerned about the welfare of other locally owned businesses.
"This will affect everybody's business from Coarsegold to Oakhurst," he said. "It's kind of unfair because Chukchansi Crossing will be exempt from sales and other taxes that I have to pay."

Because the center is located on land owned by a sovereign nation, the fuel center will be exempt from sales tax and other taxes associated with the business, allowing gas to be offered much cheaper.

Dev Sharmu, owner of Subway Sandwiches in Coarsegold, said he's unsure whether Chukchansi Crossing will affect his business or not.

"It just depends on what they put in there," he said. "If it's a gas station or mini mart it won't affect me too much but it will affect gas stations near me...but if it's a fast food company, of course it will affect me."

Like Shah, Sharmu also voiced concerns for fellow Coarsegold businesses.
"I'm concerned about my neighbors such as Coarsegold Market," he said. "If they open a huge market then Coarsegold Market will get hurt and that in turn will hurt our business because traffic won't come through our complex. People that don't stop at the market or gas station won't stop here for a sandwich either."
"At a time of great economic stress in the Valley, Chukchansi Crossing will provide access for every Valley household, especially those in the mountain community, to save significant dollars on basic fuel costs," Lawrence said. "Chukchansi is proud to continue its role as a major economic contributor and job creator for the Valley and mountain community."

A groundbreaking ceremony for the project will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 19. Construction will begin immediately by Mighty Builders, a commercial construction company owned by the Chukchansi tribe. Estimated completion date is July 2011