Nottawaseppi Huron Band Contributions Total More Than $26 Million

Last year, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi and the FireKeepers Casino Hotel contributed $26.4 million to the State of Michigan and the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board, bringing their lifetime contributions to over $287 million. 

The tribal community delivered two checks; one was presented to Nate Engle, the Regional Liaison of Community Affairs for Gov. Whitmer, while the other was presented to FLRSB Chairperson Derek King. 

The FireKeepers Casino Hotel and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) have contributed to the local community in numerous ways over the past several years. After 2022’s successful year, the NHBP’s total contributions have broken the $287 million mark. The tribe has contributed $214,822,819 to the State of Michigan and $72,330,282 to the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board (FLRSB). 

“These distributions reflect the ability of FireKeepers management and staff to leverage a beautiful property to attract and retain guests from across the region,” said Jamie Stuck, Tribal Council Chairperson for Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. “They faced challenges from staggering inflation and high gas prices, to tight labor markets and growing competition, with enthusiasm, and a compelling competitive drive to deliver excellent service.”

FireKeepers has demonstrated for several years their support for the local community and the state of Michigan. The casino hotel employs more than 2,070 employees and has been ranked the highest-ranked casino to work for in the state for several years. Total labor costs, including wages, health insurance, 401k match, and incentives, have exceeded $919 million since opening the casino. The casino’s total labor costs increased 12.4% from 2021 to 2022. 

The FireKeepers tribal casino also built a restaurant/bakery/food pantry in downtown Battle Creek called the Fire Hub. The Fire Hub and the South Michigan Food Bank operate a pantry in the rear section of the building that distributes food to those in need in the community. The establishment also manages a large greenhouse on nearby tribal land where fresh produce is grown for local schools in the Battle Creek area. Eighty percent of all profits from the restaurant go towards local charities, while the remaining twenty percent is reinvested in the property. 

“The FireKeepers Way is a path of hospitality excellence, where our team consistently delivers a Vegas-style experience, with a warm and welcoming environment, filled with engagement, enthusiasm, and appreciation,” said Frank Tecumseh, CEO at FireKeepers Casino Hotel. “We look forward to 2023 with optimism, based on our service history and an upcoming calendar filled with exciting promotions and superstar entertainment.”

About the FLRSB

Since its creation, the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board has helped provide financial assistance and/or reimbursement to schools and educational institutions to promote accurate education on the history of Michigan’s tribes and Native Americans. The check presented in March by the FireKeepers Casino Hotel to the FLRSB marks the 13th distribution since its inception. Since beginning the fund, the NHBP has helped over eleven schools and educational institutions. In 2016, the State of Michigan and the NHBP formed a compact amendment that allows up to $500,000 per year of state revenue-sharing payments to go toward the Michigan Native American Fund. Since starting, the following schools and organizations have received financial assistance:

• 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 School

 

Mac Daniel is a writer for PlayOnlineCasino and PlayOnlineSportsBetting. He has experience writing about a wide variety of topics, including healthcare, tourism, non-profit organizations, and most recently casino and sportsbetting news. To check out more of his work, visit: playonlinemichigan.com