The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and the city of South Bend, Indiana have signed two agreements relating to the tribe’s proposed development including a Class II casino and 44 homes for tribal members, plus a health care clinic and other tribal government services. The tribe currently owns and operates Four Winds Casino Resorts in New Buffalo, Hartford and Dowagiac, Michigan. The tribe is not required to reach these agreements with the city under federal or state laws.
According to the first agreement, the tribe would pay the city $400,000 infrastructure improvements at the 166-acre development site, including replacing and upgrading sewer and water services.
The tribe still is waiting approval from the South Bend Common Council for the second agreement, under which the Pokagon Band would make annual payments of 2 percent of its gaming profits. Half would go directly to the city’s general fund and the remainder to the South Bend Redevelopment Commission. The city would receive at least $1 million annually if the casino installs 850-1,699 gambling machines, and at least $2 million if the casino has 1,700 or more games.
The Pokagon Band also is waiting on the results of a Draft Environment Impact Statement, part of its land-trust application to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg said, “These are historic agreements for the city of South Bend with the region’s original inhabitants that will infuse millions of dollars into the economy and create hundreds of new jobs. It is extraordinary to reach an agreement that will not only support the economy, but also provide much needed funding for community projects, local organizations and our schools.”
Pokagon Band Chairman John Warren added the agreements will “serve as a bridge to greater cooperation and economic opportunity for Pokagon citizens, the city of South Bend and area residents. The Pokagon Band, when we do our planning, we plan in a conservative way, and we do a lot of analysis. We wouldn’t do this if we didn’t think it would better the tribe and the tribal citizens’ future.”
If the tribe’s Michigan enterprises are any indication, the South Bend region can look forward to an economic boost. In Michigan, the tribe employs more than 2,200 people and has provided construction jobs for more than 2,300 people since 2010. In addition, the tribe has paid $71 million to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and more than $24 million to local governments in the New Buffalo area since 2007. A private foundation, the Pokagon Fund, has awarded $2.8 million to local governments and nonprofits in South Bend, New Buffalo, Dowagiac and Harford since 2007.
