The Battle Creek, Michigan Chamber of Commerce recently awarded FireKeepers Casino Hotel, owned by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians, the Large Business of the Year Award for its contributions to the local economy and demonstration of “best practices.” The tribe also was nominated for the chamber’s Workplace Wellness Program award.
FireKeepers Chief Executive Officer and President Brian Decorah said, “We are proud to be part of the Battle Creek community and we are thrilled to receive this award from the Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce. We accept this award on behalf of our 1,650 team members who helped us to earn this recognition, and we look forward to increased involved in support of the community in the years to come.”
A group of six Chambers of Commerce from around the U.S. determined the winner of the Large Business of the Year Award based on nominees with more than 51 team members, that have been in business more than three years, were members of the Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce, helped the local economy grow and had proven industry “best practices.”
The casino also recently broke ground for its Hub project at the former Fire Station #4, which the tribe purchased in April, to build a restaurant with gardens to grow food for local schools and establish a food pantry. Conceived by FireKeepers Vice President of Food and Beverage Michael McFarlen, the Hub also will feature an artisan bakery and downtown meeting space. McFarlen said 80 percent of all restaurant profits and 50 cents from every restaurant check will go to charities. The remaining 20 percent of profits will be reinvested in the property.
NHBP Tribal Council Chairman Jamie Stuck said, “The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Pottawatomi is thrilled to be involved in this amazing community initiative. We can deliver the region’s best casino resort product while simultaneously focus on improving the lives of local residents. Supporting the local community is always a goal for us and Chef Michael McFarlen deserves credit for developing the concept.”
McFarlen added, “The project is going to provide something amazing for the community. This initiative creates multiple different avenues for FireKeepers to improve lives and create culinary options in downtown Battle Creek. We are all really excited about this new endeavor and eagerly anticipate the start of construction in the coming weeks.”
FireKeepers offers 2,900 slot machines, 70 table games, a live poker room and bingo room. The AAA-rated Four Diamond resort hotel features 243 rooms, a multi-purpose event center, six dining options and several lounges. FireKeepers is the title sponsor of the FireKeepers Casino 400, a Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, and hosts the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, a Symetra Tour-Road to the LPGA golf event.
