A recently released poll indicates 76 percent of voters in Muskegon County, Michigan support the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians’ proposed casino in Fruitport Township.
According to the poll, only 12 percent opposed the project and 12 percent were undecided. The poll was released by Muskegon Jobs Now, a coalition of labor, business, education, local governments and community groups that have advocated for the tribal casino for several years.
West Michigan Building Trades President Ryan Bennett said, “This poll just reaffirms what most of Muskegon already knew. This project has broad community support and will be a welcomed economic catalyst for Muskegon.”
In addition, Visit Muskegon Director Bob Lukens noted 66 percent of respondents said they would visit the casino.
“This casino will bring not only jobs to our communities, but will give visitors another reason to choose Muskegon County when planning their vacations or meetings and events,” he stated.
However, the issue has been complicated by the U.S. Department of Interior’s (DOI) lack of response to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s request for a ruling on the status of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians. In a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Whitmer requested a ruling by June 1 on whether the Grand River Bands would receive federal recognition. Whitmer said that would help her make a more informed decision on the Little River Band’s casino proposal.
The DOI is scheduled to issue a finding on Grand River Bands’ federal recognition on or before October 12. Meanwhile, Whitmer has to decide whether to approve the Little River Band’s casino by June 16.
She said, “My concurrence with the Little River Band’s 2-part determination could frustrate the Grand River Bands, which may wish to open their own gaming facility on tribal lands not far from Fruitport Township. Yet DOI has not provided any information on how likely it is that the Grand River Bands will be acknowledged.”
In her letter, Whitmer asked DOI to extend to June 16 on the Little River Band’s casino if it declined to issue a ruling on the Grand River Bands by June 1. A spokesperson for the governor said DOI confirmed receiving her letter and is “reviewing options on their end.”
Little River Band Ogema Larry Romanelli said, “The schedule she has for June 16 I think is solid, I think that can’t be moved again nor do I think they can shorten the length of time for whatever is happening with Grand River.” He said he would not object to the Grand River Bands opening a casino nearby, but he noted that is a years-long process. In the meantime, the Little River Band “would lose out on a casino, without a second chance, and Grand River would probably be 10 years even if all things worked out right, so the area of West Michigan would lose out on for at least a decade.”
Grand River Bands Tribal Ogema Ron Yob opposes the Little River Band’s proposed casino, but he said he wants to focus on his tribe’s federal recognition, which would lead to health care, housing assistance and more for tribal members.
“It’s important for us because our next generation we’re trying to pave a path for them so they don’t have to go through all of what we went through,” Yob stated.
The Little River Band’s proposed casino, approved by the federal government 17 months ago, would create 1,500 construction and 1,500 full-time jobs. “With the governor’s sign-off, the initial work can begin in months,” Romanelli said.
