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In June, the proposed retail casino of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians was declined in Fruitport Township.
The Department of Interior has recently requested Little River Band to resubmit its application, only four months after the initial submission.
The tribe’s ongoing endeavor to establish a casino in Fruitport Township has reached a significant milestone with this latest development.
Plans for new Muskegon area casino rejected last June
Last summer, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians had intentions to commence construction in Fruitport. Unfortunately, their plans faced rejection from Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Whitmer expressed that she found herself in a challenging predicament regarding the decision.
The decision to grant federal recognition to the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians had to be made before Whitmer could consider granting the land to Little River Band.
If the Grand River Bands are recognized, they should have the right to claim land in the area where the proposed casino in Fruitport Township is planned to be built. The Grand River Bands argue that the casino would encroach upon their ancestral lands.
The deadline for the decision on Grand River Bands was originally set for October 12th. However, the DOI has been granted a 120-day extension, resulting in a new deadline of February 9th, 2025.
DOI urges Little River to resubmit casino application
Whitmer’s decision last June remains unaffected by any changes, yet the DOI has requested that the Little River Band resubmit its application for the Fruitport Township casino.
In a press release, Fruitport Township Supervisor Todd Dunham stated that the Department of the Interior has unequivocally expressed their support for this project, emphasizing its positive impact on the Little River Band and the surrounding region.
Despite being aware of the Grand River Bands’ claims to the lands, the DOI had previously approved the proposed casino plans by the Little River Band.
The Fruitport Township casino and hotel project has been under development since 2008, with an estimated cost of $180 million. The initial application for the project was filed in 2015.
Grand River Bands still awaiting federal recognition
The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians experienced another setback in their quest for federal recognition last month.
Since 1994, the tribe has been actively striving for recognition.
The Department of Interior (DOI) extended the Oct. 12 deadline for a decision by an additional 120 days, citing “good cause” to warrant the extension.
The tribe’s members can gain access to health care, housing, and education assistance programs that are currently unavailable to them through federal recognition.
If the tribe intends to construct their own retail casino, this would also give them the right to utilize the lands according to their preferences.
Little River Band is confident that the extension letter received from the DOI is sufficient to progress with their plans.
Dunham expressed that the letter in question is the awaited decision from the Governor. “We finally have it,” he stated. He further highlighted that the public, as well as all neighboring municipalities, are in favor of this project. Regardless of political affiliation, three presidential administrations and two former governors have shown their support. It is widely recognized that this project holds immense potential to boost the economy along the lakeshore.
Little River Band ready to break ground on new casino
If Whitmer gave her approval, Little River Band would have started construction on its new casino over the summer.
Fruitport Township officials, who fully supported the plan, heavily criticized the governor’s decision.
The proposed casino aimed to bring about 3,000 employment opportunities to the Muskegon area, out of which 1,500 would be long-term positions.
“The community has provided us with immense support throughout these years,” stated Larry Romanelli, Tribal Omega of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, in an interview with Wood TV8. “Our initial submission was exceptional, and one of the Department of Interior’s finest. The overwhelming support we received for it led the DOI to acknowledge it as an outstanding agreement.”
Governor Whitmer will still have to sign off on casino
Whitmer’s perspective remains unchanged, as there have been no significant changes to influence her decision.
Before granting approval to Little River Band, she has made it clear that she is waiting for the federal decision on Grand River Bands.
The decision, which has been extended multiple times before, may either be made in February or could potentially undergo further extensions.
The outcome of the gubernatorial race between Whitmer and challenger Tudor Dixon will be determined on November 8th. In the event of her victory, Dixon would assume the responsibility. However, she has not made any public statements regarding this matter.
