Gun Lake Tribe Distributes First $500,000 to Struggling Michigan Community

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

BRADLEY, MICHIGAN - Since its opening in February, the Gun Lake Casino has been busier than originally forecasted. The busy opening translated into two-and-a-half times the anticipated funds going to the local area from the casino.

Gun Lake Tribe Vice Chairman Ed Pigeon presenting check to Roger VanVolkinburg, supervisor of Wayland Township

Today, the Gun Lake Tribe delivered the local sharing revenue check of $514,871 to local officials today as part of its compact agreement with the State of Michigan. The Gun Lake Casino is owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indian - commonly referred to as Gun Lake Tribe - and is operated by the Tribe’s management partner, MPM Enterprises, LLC, owned by an affiliate of Station Casinos, Inc. and private investors from Michigan.

“I estimated only $200,000 for the first check. So, this is very nice.”

said a beaming Roger VanVolkinburg, supervisor of Wayland Township.

“Many years ago we made a commitment to our neighbors to provide funds to help build a better community. Today we have followed through on our commitment and that marks another important milestone in our shared progress,” said D.K. Sprague, chairman of the Gun Lake Tribe.

February Opening

The other part of the compact agreement calls for the Gun Lake Tribe to give the State of Michigan eight to twelve percent to the State’s Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which was presented also today in a check with amount of just over $2.5 million.

The Tribe will distribute the funds per the compact on a bi-annual basis, which stipulates 60 days after the March 31 and September 30. Since the Gun Lake Casino opened on February, the funds distributed today represent less than two months of operation.

The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Wayland Township Area Local Revenue Sharing Board was formed to receive and administer local revenue sharing payments. Pursuant to the compact the Board is comprised of three representatives of the Tribe and three representatives of local governments/communities.

The Board consists of the following individuals:

The compact prescribes mandatory local funding to reimburse municipalities for: costs incurred due to the operation of the casino; public safety services; and replacement of tax revenue. The Board is responsible for establishing bylaws that govern the local distribution process. Other possible uses for local revenue sharing funds include funding for schools and civic organizations. Local revenue sharing funds are not dependent on the preservation of exclusive gaming rights within the Tribe’s competitive market area.

“The local community will benefit greatly from these much needed funds provided by the Tribe. This will allow area municipalities to improve public safety and infrastructure services,” said VanVolkinburg.

posted June 2, 2011 5:47 pm et