FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The Little River Bands of Ottawa Indians plans to submit a new application to create a casino after a recent decision by the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI).
The tribe made the announcement on Wednesday.
“We have been in some discussions,” said Ogema Larry Romanelli in an interview with FOX17. “I can’t go into them too deep, but, yeah, there’s been discussions.”
In June, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rejected the tribe’s original proposal to build a casino in Fruitport Township because of a separate decision on whether DOI would recognize another tribe, the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians.
Earlier this month, DOI issued an extension for its decision deadline on Grand River Bands to mid-February of 2023.
As a result, Romanelli approached DOI about whether they would reconsider his tribe’s project.
He says DOI strongly supports the casino proposal and encouraged the tribe to submit a new application.
A spokesperson for DOI declined to comment.
“They [DOI] recognize the tremendous support that this project had and the benefits that it would produce,” said Romanelli. “When you talk about the economic development, that is what we’re all about. It helps the tribe, it would help the local community, and it would help the state of Michigan, financially, in all areas.”
According to Romanelli, the timeline for approval would be much shorter since studies and planning have already been done, but would still require the governor’s approval.
In a release, Fruitport Township requested Whitmer’s support.
“This letter is the decision the Governor said she was waiting on. We now have it,” says Todd Dunham, Fruitport Township supervisor. “The public supports this project. Every surrounding municipality supports this project. Three presidential administrations and two previous governors have supported it no matter the political party. Everyone knows it would be a huge economic engine for the lakeshore.”
FOX17 contacted Whitmer’s office and asked if she would approve the casino. We also asked her GOP challenger, Tudor Dixon, the same question since the decision would likely come after the 2022 election.
Neither candidate has responded.
Dunham noted DOI approved the casino in 2020 and again in 2021, while knowing the “territorial claims” of the Grand River Bands.
“The DOI does extensive analysis and the Governor’s office should be able to rely on their conclusions and recommendations,” said Dunham. “The DOI said they have never seen a project with so much support. The idea that this interferes with another tribe is just a smokescreen.”
Little River Band has spent more than $32 million and 12 years on the approval process for the casino.
The casino would feature a 220-room hotel if approved. Tribe and township officials estimate it would also create 1,500 full-time jobs and generate $15 million in annual revenue to the state in addition to $3 million distributed locally.
READ MORE: Grand River Bands continues recognition fight as deadline approaches
