In 2012, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians in Michigan created Grand Traverse Economic Development Corporation to invest a percentage of revenue from its two casinos—Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel in Williamsburg and Leelanau Sands in Peshabestown–in non-gaming enterprises. GTED’s leadership and investments have gone through several changes with mixed success. But recently it hired Thomas Wilbur with the goal of landing federal government contracts.
A member of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin and a former captain in the United States Army, Wilbur served as an executive at Mobil Oil and has helped other organizations obtain federal contracting. “This is a progressive tribe that recognized the need to diversify. Their gaming revenue is basically their tax base, and they want to diversify and enter the lucrative federal arena,” Wilbur said.
He noted GTED plans to start or acquire at least one business per year for the next five years and secure federal contracts for each company. “We will look at industries that are easily transferrable into the federal arena because tribes typically have expertise in those areas, or because the federal government has needs in those areas,” which include engineering, manufacturing, IT and security.
GTED Board Vice Chair Kyle Anderson said, “We’re looking for successful companies that want more opportunities. We can say, ‘You’re doing a great job, and we have an advantage, so we can help you grow more.'”
Traverse Connect Chief Executive Officer Doug Luciani added, “Tom Wilbur has the right experience and knows the rules and strategies to move the GT Band to the front of the line for federal contracts and for the industries that support them. It’s a smart, fast way to create high-paying, sustainable jobs in the region, not just for tribal members, but for all of northern Michigan.”
Wilbur currently is completing paperwork to secure the SBA 8(a) designation under the Small Business Act, which requires 23 percent of federal government contracts to be rewarded to small businesses, and he’s talking with local companies about potential acquisitions.
