The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe, announced a September 17 groundbreaking for its first casino. The $157 million Gun Lake Casino will feature a 83,000 -square-feet of gaming space with 1,200 slot machines, 36 table games, a restaurant and a food court. The tribe expects to hire 600 people to staff the facility. The casino is smaller than anticipated but the tribe has expansion plans. "Given the current economic conditions, it makes sense for us to build this project in phases," Chairman D.K. Sprague said, The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. "This will allow us to bring jobs to our area sooner, and we look forward to planning and developing the next phase as the economy recovers." Construction is expected to take 10 to 12 months. Construction will generate 750 jobs. Get the Story:
Construction to begin on tribal project in Michigan (The Las Vegas Review-Journal 9/4)
Why the new Wayland Township casino will be half the size originally planned (The Grand Rapids Press 9/4)
Gun Lake Tribe unveils new casino plans (Business Review West Michigan 9/3)