Potawatomi tribe considers building, operating casino

In recent meetings, the Gun Lake Band's council has examined contracts from management firms that would help it construct and operate a "world-class" casino, said Noel Laporte, the tribe's Lansing lobbyist.

"They are looking more closely at the opening of a gaming facility somewhere in west Michigan," he said.

If the 150-member tribe decides to take that step, Laporte said to expect a resort-type casino complex that would rival Soaring Eagle in Mount Pleasant.

The new resort could include a hotel, an entertainment venue featuring famous acts, a golf course and restaurants, he told The Grand Rapids Press for a story Wednesday.

Before work begins on any casino, the American Indian tribe would have to sign an agreement with a casino-management company and select a site. The National Indian Gaming Commission then would have to approve the agreement.

Though a site hasn't been chosen yet, the tribe owns about 80 acres near Bradley, about midway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The tribe said earlier it would not build a casino on that site, though it could acquire neighboring land for one.

Once a site is picked, the land would have to be placed into a federal trust, a process that takes up to six months. Following that, there would be a comment period during which time local governments and residents could express their support or opposition to a casino.

The entire process could take up to five years.

A new casino resort would go a long way toward healing the tribe's social ailments, such as poverty and depression, Laporte said.

Another tribe is further along with its casino plans for western Michigan. The Nottawaseppi Huron Tribe of Potawatomi wants to begin construction sometime next year on a casino near Battle Creek.

Rex Rogers, president of Cornerstone University and an outspoken critic of gaming, already has pledged to come out against any nearby casino.

"How many is too many?" he asked. "It seems we're already reaching a saturation point."

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