Michigan’s Little River Band of Ottawa Indians seeks the approval of Governor Gretchen Whitmer for a $180 million casino at Fruitport Township. It would be the tribe’s second casino.
The trip wants to convert the now-defunct Great Lakes Downs Racetrack. It has received federal approval to put the land into trust after a dozen year wait but still needs a compact with the state to build a casino and 220 room hotel on 60 acres near the Interstate-96 and U.S. 31 interchange.
The governor has until December 16 to give her approval. She has considered the request for ten months and so far said nothing public.
The tribe estimates that the casino would create between 1,500 and 3,000 jobs. It has been endorsed by the Muskegon County Commission in a vote on October 26.
Supporters held a rally in favor of the project on November 9 with Muskegon Heights Mayor Walter Watt outside of the State Capital in Lansing.
