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Chamber Joins Coalition of Support for Gun Lake Casino
DORR, Mich.: The Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce today announced its participation in the West Michigan Economic Alliance - a coalition of west Michigan organizations that supports the development of a casino entertainment complex by the Gun Lake Tribe in Dorr.
"When Gun Lake Tribe leaders asked us to support their proposed development we examined it carefully and determined that it would provide an economic benefit to the west Michigan area, and therefore the southwest Michigan region," said John T. Long, Chamber President and CEO. The Chamber joined the other organizations in the alliance to share that view emphasize the positive aspects of growing jobs and obtaining revenue sharing from the tribe as it partners with the state in its development.
The Chamber and its division, the Kalamazoo County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) support the tribe's development for the following reasons:
"It is not the practice of this organization to oppose the right of legitimate, legally-established businesses to conduct business in this area's free enterprise system.
"The Chamber and the CVB also recognize the fact that more than a dozen of other Indian-owned casinos are in existence throughout the state. It would be unfair to oppose the rights of one tribe/group while accepting the rights of others to operate similar properties.
"The Chamber and CVB also believe that it would be shortsighted not to recognize the fact that a property such as the one being proposed by the Gun Lake Tribe, would help infuse the southwest Michigan area with valuable commerce opportunities for the existing business base, as well as employment opportunities for local workers during this current economic slowdown.
For these reasons the Chamber and its Convention and Visitors Bureau have supported the Tribe's right to pursue this development.
The Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Director's and its members have joined the West Michigan Economic Alliance to work through partnership to enhance the economic growth of our community and our neighbors. We strongly endorse the Gun Lake Tribe and their efforts to bring a Casino to Bradley, Michigan. We firmly believe that having the gaming operation located in Allegan County would benefit the entire county as a whole. This operation would provide jobs, widen the tourism base, allow extensive opportunities for existing business owner and provide the potential for further business/industrial growth. It is our belief that these should be major goals for all Chambers!
Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce
The Board of Directors of the Barry County Area Chamber of Commerce has given its support to the efforts of the Gun Lake Tribe to establish a gaming facility in Wayland Township of Allegan County. The Barry County Area Chamber of Commerce has approximately 380 members throughout the area. On behalf of the Board, I would like to reiterate our support of the Tribe's efforts. The location of the proposed casino is on the edge of the Allegan/Barry County line. We believe the project would be a major and needed boost to the economy and job market in our area.
Executive Director
Barry County Area Chamber of Commerce
As one of the first Chambers to endorse and support the Gun Lake Tribe and their proposed entertainment complex, the Gun Lake Chamber of Commerce is also proud to support and join the West Michigan Economic Alliance. Many of our communities are small and we recognize that by partnering we can work together to promote and enhance the region as well as our own community. We openly recognize the benefits a Casino in Bradley would bring to our region by enhancing tourism and economic growth for existing businesses as well as providing an enormous amount of employment opportunities of a very wide spectrum. We strongly support the West Michigan Economic Alliance and the Gun Lake Tribe!
Gun Lake Chamber of Commerce
As a member of West Michigan Economic Alliance, I Support the Gun Lake Tribe in its efforts to achieve its goal of brining much needed positive economic impact to eastern Allegan County and specifically the Wayland Area. As a Waylan Business owner, I see every day the effects of the current climate in this area. The impact of added jobs and the resulting need for local housing and services will have a direct positive impact on all local businesses…
Marcott Collision Carstar
Quality Collision Repair
Please list Dorr Business Association and its members as significant supporters of the West Michigan Economic Alliance and it's mission to provide economic strength and growth to our area. We stand strong in our support of the Gun Lake Tribe and their goal to establish not only land for their tribal members but in order to financially provide for their tribe. Construction of a gaming complex in Bradley, Michigan would provide jobs, business growth produce significant economic benefits for our members.
Dorr Business Association
Gun Lake Tribe's casino (casino name yet to be determined)
Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians
The Gun Lake Tribe's casino will be a first class entertainment facility in Wayland Township, Michigan. Key facts and features include:
The casino will located just off of US 131 at 129th Avenue in Wayland Township, Allegan County. The casino site is located about 25 miles north of Kalamazoo and about 25 miles south of Grand Rapids.
Plans for the facility, in addition to the gaming and administration areas, include a buffet restaurant, one or two smaller restaurants, a sports bar, lounge, and small retail / gift shop.
At the very foundation of this, or any economic development, is the creation of jobs. The casino will be one of Allegan counties largest employers. It is estimated that the facility will require 1,826 full-time equated employees. Each FTE represents one full-year of employment at 40 hours per week.
Further, it is estimated that the total employment impact resulting from the opening of the casino will be 4,904. While the Tribe will directly employ approximately 1,826 people, it is estimated that an additional 3,078 jobs will be created from off-site customer spending, sub-contractors hired by the casino, and additional labor induced (ripple effect) from this project.
The casino also has the potential to be the largest financial contributor to local governments. Local governments, through a Local Revenue Sharing Board (LRSB), will receive 2% of the Tribe's net slot win. The Tribe will have no representation on the LRSB.
After Governor Granholm signs the compact that has been negotiated between the State and Tribe, then the Tribe will also contribute 8% of the net slot win to the State of Michigan.
Click here to download the Economic and Community Impact Analysis (4.6MB PDF)
Tribes throughout Michigan, and across the United States, continue to be good neighbors and good partners. The Gun Lake Tribe is committed to working with the State and local governments so that we will maximize our positive impact to the region. The Gun Lake Tribe will use the revenues from the casino to fund tribal governmental operations, provide for the general welfare of the Tribe and its member, donate to charitable organizations, and help fund operations of local government agencies.
Click here to download the NIGA 2003 Impact Analysis (2.7MB PDF)
Click here to download the NIGA Brochure (3.1MB PDF)
TIMELINE SHOWING GROWTH OF LOCAL SUPPORT AND OTHER FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES, INCLUDING PASSING OF RESOLUTIONS AND LETTERS OF SUPPORT:
| February 14, 2000 | - Little River Band of Ottawa Indians |
| January 25, 2001 | - Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa |
| February 21, 2001 | - Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe |
| March 3, 2001 | - Keweenaw Bay Indian Community |
| April 4, 2001 | - Gun Lake Area Chamber of Commerce |
| May 1, 2001 | - Dorr Business Association |
| June 20, 2001 | - Kalamazoo Convention and Visitors Bureau |
| June 28, 2001 | - Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce |
| July 23, 2001 | - Friends of the Gun Lake Indians (FOGLI) |
| July 26, 2001 | - Wayland Township Board of Trustees |
| August 8, 2001 | - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Local 131) |
| September 4, 2001 | - Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce |
| September 11, 2001 | - Plainwell Chamber of Commerce |
| September 18, 2001 | - City Council of Allegan |
| September 21, 2001 | - Deputy Sheriff's Association |
| April 1, 2002 | - City Council of Wayland |
| May 22, 2002 | - Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce |
| May 23, 2002 | - Allegan County Board of Commissioners |
There has been some local concern that Stations will bring in a trained team and most of the employment opportunities available to the local community will be "low paying jobs" such as janitors and food service workers.
Gun Lake Tribe and its partners are committed to utilizing the local community labor force to include Union labor for the construction of the casino project, as well as offering local residents specialized training such as the dealer schools, etc.
More Information coming soon.
Information coming soon.