As one of Northwest Indiana’s prime tourist attractions, drawing 2.3 million visitors annually, Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa in Michigan City, La Porte County, Indiana is a major regional economic engine. It employs 1,000 people, including more than 600 La Porte County residents, and has paid 5 million in wages, payroll taxes and benefits since 2002. Blue Chip also supports Indiana vendors, spending a total of million in 2016.
Since 2001, gaming and admission taxes have totaled nearly $1 billion, said Blue Chip Vice President and General Manager Lief Erickson. That figure includes $33.5 million to the city of Michigan City, $3.2 million to the Economic Development Corporation of Michigan City and $12 million to the Michigan City Community Enrichment Fund, which provides grants to area nonprofits. Erickson said, “We give the Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation in total $750,000 a year and then there’s a board that oversees that money. They meet throughout the year to find worthy causes to which that money will be distributed. It’s all managed really well.” He added employees also hold a United Way campaign annually.
“This past year our team members donated $67,000 to the United Way of La Porte County,” Erickson said.
The property also gives in-kind and cash donations. Blue Chip Casino Marketing Director Joel Giannetti said, “Those donations are intended to, once again, broaden the perspective of helping the community.” He stated in 2016 those donations totaled $80,000.
At the casino, Erickson said, “We’ve spent more in the last several years too on slot product in keeping the latest and greatest games on the casino floor. We’ve re-carpeted the casino, we’re finishing up a project right now that improves sight lines, eliminated bottlenecks and improved access to the banking centers and the restrooms. We’re always trying to do something to better the property.”
He added, “Our reputation is our most important thing and we always try to do the right thing. Boyd Gaming is built on integrity.”
