FireKeepers Casino Hotel, owned by Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, has announced the largest profit-sharing payment yet to Michigan, that of $23.7 million, with the state getting $18.1 million and the rest to local government.
This is an increase of 5.84 percent over last year. The state collects up to 8 percent of Class III winnings while local communities get 2 percent of the net win. The casino opened in 2009 in Battle Creek.
For the fifth year in a row the casino has paid more than $5 million to local schools and governments, and it was the third year in a row for the record setting amount paid.
At an event last week where the tribe turned over a check for $5,656,690 to the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board. The board writes checks to schools, libraries, the Calhoun County Road Commission among others, within the counties that it impacts, including Calhoun and Berry counties.
FireKeepers CEO Kathy George declared, “We’re very proud to be part of the community. That the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi provides us with the opportunity to give back is phenomenal. Most corporations, most casinos especially, don’t get to do that, and that we are able to do that, it really gives us a sense of pride.”
Tribal Chairman Jamie Stuck in a statement said, “The leadership and tribal members of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi are proud to honor our agreements and create a positive impact to the State of Michigan and our Local Revenue Sharing Board and we are pleased with the growth displayed at FireKeepers Casino Hotel.”
She added, “The great performance of our FireKeepers team has created new jobs in 2017 and a destination resort that attracts guests from across Michigan plus large sections of Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. The creation of great guest experiences creates a loyal factor that has been the foundation of our substantial revenue growth to support needs in our local communities.”
