Remoteness, lack of infrastructure and no capital investment dollars works against starting new businesses on the reservation. Even so, the economic potential remains untapped, according to the Navajo Utah Commission, made up of leaders from the tribe's seven chapters in the state.

The commission wants the state to work with the tribe to set up a Small Business Administration business development office on the reservation. It also would like Utah to hire a full-time economic development assistance provider to help all tribes.

A Department of Interior ruling last month that eliminates bureaucratic red tape could kick-start business development. The Navajo Nation no longer needs federal approval through the Bureau of Indian Affairs to develop land, a process that previously took at least three years. The decision empowers local chapters to identify property and plan projects on their own.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services provide the Navajo Nation with most of its money, with some dollars getting to the Utah portion of the reservation.

Navajos have not broken into the high-tech industry as have other tribes. They are banking on other projects to revive the economy.

Officials have plans for a $2.5 billion coal-fired power plant in New Mexico that would provide thousands of construction and hundreds of permanent jobs. Tribal members also recently approved a gaming initiative that will bring casinos to the reservation — none in Utah — for the first time

The Utah Navajo Trust Fund, which administers oil and gas royalties, remains the only source of local revenue. Navajos in San Juan County reap 37.5 percent of the profits, while the other 62.5 percent goes to tribal headquarters in Window Rock, Ariz.

Created by Congress in 1933 to allow the state to administer oil and gas royalties on behalf of Utah Navajos, it is the only fund of its kind in the nation.

The oil and subsequent royalties in the tens of millions of dollars began flowing in the 1950s. In 1971, the nonprofit Utah Navajo Development Council was created to provide health care, education and general welfare for Navajos in San Juan County. It was followed by the for-profit Utah Navajo Industries, which was charged with starting businesses, employing Navajos and developing their managerial skills.

Bad investments, poor decisions (including a failed puppet-making company), misappropriation and fraud doomed both entities and squandered millions of dollars. Several officers in those organizations were convicted of embezzlement.

A University of Utah finance professor determined in 1992 that had the money been managed properly, the fund should have had $100 million. Instead, it had about $9 million.

A group of Navajos sued the state in 1992, claiming it mismanaged the money and gave funds to entities that embezzled it.