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Since 1993 the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has been making bi-annual payments from gaming proceeds of their casinos to local units of government and to the State of Michigan. These payments are 2% and 8% respectively and are derived from the net win from all Class III electronic games of chance commonly known as slot machines.
The two-percent (2%) payments are made each May and November. Local units of Government may make requests throughout the year. To receive an award the entity must first make a request in writing.
For the period of October 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017, the total to be distributed to local units of government in Baraga County, which was derived from the Ojibwa Casino Resort-Baraga, was $114,829.34. The payments approved by Tribal Council for this distribution are as follows:
Baraga County–$28,979.80
Baraga Area Schools–$34,888.67
Baraga Township–$11,673.90
Village of Baraga–$ 8,974.37
Village of Baraga/MTU – Baraga First Responders–$ 4,000.00
Village of Baraga/KEDA–$ 2,500.00
L’Anse Area Schools–$17,412.98
L’Anse Township–$ 1,962.77
Village of L’Anse–$ 1,436.85
Village of L’Anse/Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly–$3,000.00
Distributions totaling $138,419.72 were made to local units of government in Marquette County that were derived from the Ojibwa Casino-Marquette for the same period as follows:
Chocolay Township–$70,000.00
Marquette County–$25,000.00
Marquette Township/Superior Watershed Partnership-KBIC Youth–$27,500.00
Marquette Township/Recreation Committee-Underpass of US-41–$15,919.72
Eight percent (8%) payments are made to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The May 2017 distribution for the Ojibwa Casino Resort-Baraga totaled $459,317.40 and $573,678.93 for the Ojibwa Casino-Marquette.
The next cycle of awards will be made in November 2017. Local units of government within Baraga or Marquette Counties may apply. Written requests received before September 30, 2017 will be considered.
