Pokagon Band's casino becomes tourist hub

Tuesday, May 27, 2008  

Since opening last August, the casino owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians has become a tourist destination in southwestern Michigan.

The Four Winds Casino Resort has had a positive impact on the economy, a business leader said. Local hotels are booking more rooms, more restaurants and retail stores are being opened near the casino and more tour groups are inquiring about the area.

"Four Winds is part of their visit and that's what drew them to the area, but they've wanted to stay in a bed and breakfast and do other things," Pam Sudlow told the Associated Press. "Our lodging properties have been benefiting because the casino is very short of rooms."

The success of the casino has the tribe thinking about an expansion, Chairman John Miller said.

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Four Winds casino creates new vacation destination (AP 5/27)