Little River Band credited with sharing $30M in gaming revenues

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Artist's rendering of proposed off-reservation casino in Fruitport Township, Michigan. Image from Little River Band

>
The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has shared more than $30 million in gaming revenues with communities in Michigan, MLive reports.

The tribe opened the Little River Casino Resort in 1999. Revenues from Class III games are shared twice a year with local governments and schools in Manistee County.

"The Little River Band has been a major contributor to the community and catalyst for our region's growth," Dennis Bjorkquist, the chairman of the Manistee County Local Revenue Sharing Board, told MLive. "The casino has significantly boosted our tourism to businesses beyond the casino. The Tribe is a great neighbor and partner in our community."

The tribe is hoping to replicate that effort with an off-reservation casino in Muskegon County. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has been working on the environmental impact statement for nine months.

"Our efforts are on track finally, with the Muskegon effort," Larry Romanelli, the tribe's ogema, or leader, told MLive. He hopes the draft EIS will be completed this year.

The tribe is pursuing the casino under the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. If the BIA approves, the state governor has final say.

The only successful two-part determination in Michigan was in 2000 for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

Get the Story:
Tribe proposing Muskegon County casino gave $30M in revenue sharing since 1999 (MLive 6/27) $P Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Fruitport Casino Project, Fruitport Township, Muskegon County, Michigan (September 21, 2015)