A long-awaited $180 million casino project proposed by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Muskegon County appears to be grinding to a halt. Ogema Larry Romanelli of the tribe expressed growing concerns about the future of the development, citing complex hurdles involving tribal sovereignty, federal processes, and state-level approvals.
A 14-Year Investment in Limbo
The proposed casino, which would have been the tribe’s second gaming facility, was envisioned for a 60-acre site in Fruitport Township, the former home of the Great Lakes Downs racetrack. Since 2008, the tribe has spent 14 years and $30 million preparing for the project. The plan included a full-scale gaming resort featuring 1,700 slot machines, 35 table games, and facilities aimed at drawing both locals and visitors to Muskegon County.
Despite receiving federal approval in December 2020 from the U.S. Department of the Interior to take the land into trust, the project has been stalled at the state level. The sticking point lies in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which requires the Michigan governor’s consent for off-reservation casino developments.
Governor’s Decision Tied to Broader Tribal Recognition
In June 2022, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declined to give her approval for the project. Her decision, as outlined in an official statement, was not a rejection of the Little River Band’s proposal itself but stemmed from overlapping claims by another tribe, the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians.
The Grand River Bands, recognized by the state but not federally acknowledged, are seeking formal recognition from the U.S. Department of the Interior. Their pending petition complicates the situation, as the land earmarked for the casino overlaps with their claimed ancestral territory.
In a letter to the Department of the Interior, Whitmer requested additional time to make her decision, hoping for clarity on the Grand River Bands’ federal status. However, her extension request was denied, forcing her to act without resolution of the overlapping claims.
“Despite the strength of its proposal, I am unable to concur in the Little River Band’s two-part determination because of the remaining uncertainty created by the Grand River Bands’ pending acknowledgment petition,” Whitmer wrote at the time.
Federal Recognition Denied for Grand River Bands
In March 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a preliminary decision denying federal recognition to the Grand River Bands. However, the decision remains subject to further review, leaving the future of the Little River Band’s Muskegon casino project in limbo.
For the Little River Band, the delay represents not just a financial loss but also a missed opportunity to expand their economic footprint in Muskegon County, one of their designated service areas.
A History of the Great Lakes Downs Site
The site of the proposed casino has a storied past. The Great Lakes Downs racetrack, which operated from 1999 to 2007, was purchased by the Little River Band in 2008 with hopes of revitalising the area through the planned Lakeshore Casino and Resort. The vision was ambitious, aiming to bring economic growth and job opportunities to Muskegon County.
But progress has been stymied by regulatory hurdles. While the tribe’s existing Little River Casino Resort in Manistee operates on tribal land, the Muskegon site falls under the off-reservation category, triggering additional layers of scrutiny and the need for state approval.
What Lies Ahead?
For now, the future of the Muskegon casino project remains uncertain. The Little River Band continues to advocate for their plans, but without the governor’s consent, federal approval alone is insufficient to move forward.
The situation underscores the complexities of tribal gaming laws and the challenges faced by Native American tribes seeking to expand economic opportunities through gaming enterprises.
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