FireKeepers Casino Hotel operator the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) this week announced a payment of over $20.5 million to the State of Michigan. A payment to the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board (FLRSB) exceeded $6.2 million.
Since it opened in August 2009, the NHBP has contributed $235.3 million to the State of Michigan and 78.5 million to the FLRSB.
“At FireKeepers, we understand the importance of giving back to the communities that have supported us,” said Firekeepers CEO Frank Tecumseh in a statement. “Through our contributions to the state and local economies, as well as our sponsorship of major events like the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway and the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Golf Championship, we are proud to play a significant role in the continued growth and success of our region.”
Based in Battle Creek, Michigan, FireKeepers Casino Hotel currently employs 2,138 team members. Its initiatives include managing the Kendall Street Pantry in downtown Battle Creek, which operates as an agency of the South Michigan Food Bank, and sponsoring various charitable organizations and events.
A 2016 compact amendment between NHBP and the State of Michigan provides for a payment of up to $500,000 per year of state revenue-sharing payments to the Michigan Native American Heritage Fund. Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Chairperson Jamie Stuck and Vice Chairperson Dorie Rios are appointed members of the Heritage Fund Board. The fund provides financial assistance and/or reimbursement to public and private K-12 grade schools, colleges, universities, local units of government, and other organizations to improve curricula and educational resources related to Michigan Indian History.
The check presented to the FLRSB is the fourteenth distribution since its first in Feb. 2010. The $78.5 million distributed to date has benefited groups, including:
- Harper Creek Community Schools
- Calhoun County Road Commission
- Emmett Township
- Calhoun County
- Calhoun Intermediate School District
- Kellogg Community College
- Willard Library
- Athens Township
- Marshall Township
- City of Marshall
- City of Battle Creek
- Athens Area Schools
- Village of Athens
- Battle Creek Public Schools
- Marshall Public Schools
- Lakeview School District
- Pennfield Schools
