BATTLE CREEK, MI – The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP), owners of FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek, have announced substantial contributions to the State of Michigan and local community. A payment to the State of Michigan totaled more than $20.5 million, marking a notable increase of 1.16% over the previous year. Additionally, a payment to the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board (FLRSB) exceeded $6.2 million, producing a 0.95% increase from the previous year. The funds distributed are part of a negotiated agreement between NHBP and the state for 2023 operations at NHBP’s FireKeepers Casino Hotel.
These contributions bring NHBP’s total monies contributed to the State of Michigan to over $235.3 million and $78.5 million to the FLRSB since the opening of FireKeepers Casino Hotel in August of 2009, culminating in a combined contribution exceeding $313.9 million.
“Today’s contributions reaffirm NHBP’s dedication to fostering economic growth and prosperity within the State of Michigan and our Local Revenue Sharing Board,” said Jamie Stuck, Tribal Council Chairperson for the NHBP. “As stewards of our community, we take great pride in our ongoing partnership with the state and our local communities, a tangible example of our commitment to supporting vital initiatives that benefit our region.”
FireKeepers Casino Hotel, a cornerstone of economic development in the region, expanded its employee base to 2,138 team members, further solidifying its role as a leading employer in the area.
“At FireKeepers, we understand the importance of giving back to the communities that have supported us,” said Frank Tecumseh, Chief Executive Officer at FireKeepers Casino Hotel. “Through our contributions to the state and local economies, as well as our sponsorship of major events like the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway and the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Golf Championship, we are proud to play a significant role in the continued growth and success of our region.”
2023 saw FireKeepers achieve a new record, with cumulative paid labor and benefit costs that totaled $107.6 million, an increase of 3.3% over 2022. Since opening, the total labor and benefits have exceeded $1 billion. This investment includes total wages, health insurance, 401k matches, and incentives.
The NHBP and FireKeepers Casino Hotel have remained dedicated to reinvesting in local communities and supporting charitable endeavors throughout Michigan and neighboring states. Notable initiatives include the management of the Kendall Street Pantry in downtown Battle Creek, which operates as an agency of the South Michigan Food Bank, and the sponsorship of various charitable organizations and events.
A 2016 Compact Amendment between NHBP and the State of Michigan provides for a payment of up to $500,000 per year of state revenue sharing payments to the Michigan Native American Heritage Fund. Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Chairperson Jamie Stuck and Vice Chairperson Dorie Rios are appointed members of the Heritage Fund Board. In 2023, the fund provided financial assistance and/or reimbursement to public and private K-12 grade schools, colleges, universities, local units of government, and other organizations to improve curricula and educational resources related to Michigan Indian history and to defray the costs of projects that promote positive relationships and accurate information on the history and role of Michigan’s Indian tribes and Native Americans in the state. Grant recipients include Baraga Area Schools, Chippewa Hills School District, Manistee Area Public Schools, Meridian Charter Township, Pellston Public Schools, Petoskey Schools, Port Huron Area School District, Sandusky Community Schools, and Watersmeet Township School District.
The NHBP has made a concentrated effort to focus FireKeepers Casino Hotel on supporting local businesses and suppliers and extend contributions to the local economy beyond the FLRSB and the distribution to the state. Therefore, spending in the State of Michigan, especially in local areas, grew substantially in awarding contracts in excess of $45.8 million in 2023 and exceeding $755 million lifetime.
- Greater Calhoun County Region: $7 million (Calhoun, Jackson, Branch)
- West Michigan: $19.9 million (Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Grand Traverse, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, Van Buren)
- Lansing Area: $3.4million (Ingham, Eaton, Clinton)
- Metro Detroit: $2.4 million (Wayne)
- Other: $13.1 million (Chippewa, Genesee, Gratiot, Ionia, Livingston, Macomb, Manistee, Marquette, Mecosta, Midland, Monroe, Newaygo, Oakland, Saginaw, St. Clair, Shiawassee, Washtenaw, Wexford)
The check presented to the FLRSB is the 14th distribution since the first distribution in February of 2010, when the NHBP presented a check to the FLRSB for nearly $2 million. The $78.5 million distributed to date has benefited a diverse array of groups, including:
- Harper Creek Community Schools
- Calhoun County Road Commission
- Emmett Township
- Calhoun County
- Calhoun Intermediate School District
- Kellogg Community College
- Willard Library
- Athens Township
- Marshall Township
- City of Marshall
- City of Battle Creek
- Athens Area Schools
- Village of Athens
- Battle Creek Public Schools
- Marshall Public Schools
- Lakeview School District
- Pennfield Schools
