Little River Casino Michigan Age
FRUITPORT TWP. — Federal action expected tomorrow will move the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians one step closer to being able to develop a $180 million casino on land it owns in Muskegon Country.
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The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians opened the casino after they reached a compact with Michigan the year before. This casino first opened with 600 slots and video poker machines and eventually expanded to over 1,300 machines for players. Little River Casino and Resort in Manistee says it will stay open through the state’s three-week coronavirus pause. Tribal casinos are not required to close down with these epidemic orders. The proposed Little River Band of Ottawa Indians' Muskegon casino project would result in the transfer of 60 acres from fee to trust status, and the subsequent development of a casino, restaurants and bars, multi-purpose center, and an approximately 220-room hotel with a pool and fitness center. Experience the #1 Manistee Michigan Casino and entertainment venue. Little River Casino Resort is the gateway to scenic M22 and is located at the intersection of U.S, 31 and M-22. Featuring a newly expanded non-smoking gaming area. Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel offers the perfect northern Michigan getaway with a 56,000-square-foot casino floor, contemporary accommodations, and endless dining options, from a high-end steakhouse to a casual buffet. Explore Traverse City by day, and then play the night away at northern Michigan’s most popular casino.
On Friday, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a federal agency that operates within the U.S. Department of Interior, will announce plans to file a Final Environmental Impact Statement on the tribe’s request for the federal government to take into trust 60 acres of land at the former Great Lakes Downs horse track. The BIA’s announcement in the Federal Register then kicks off a 30-day public comment period, after which the government will issue a final decision in the application.
If the federal government approves and takes the land into trust for the tribe, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians would then need to seek state approval for its casino plans.
For Larry Romanelli, the ogema or elected leader of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, the step marks a significant milestone in a process that’s drawn on for more than a decade.
“This was 80 percent of what had to be done — it’s huge in my opinion,” Romanelli told MiBiz. “When we started, we hoped for a process that was five to six years, and now we’re past 10. But now we’re at a point where we have more control over that as well.”
Romanelli envisions the remaining process to get a casino up and running will take three years at the longest, assuming the approval process moves ahead in the tribe’s favor. Under certain best-case circumstances, the tribe could also shorten that time frame, Romanelli said, declining to speculate on particulars of that scenario.
For the Environmental Impact Statement, the BIA considered the potential effects on the environment for the proposed casino development, ranging from land use, geology and water resources to agricultural, biological and cultural considerations.
The tribe purchased the horse track in 2008 to develop a second casino in addition to its resort complex north of Manistee. The proposed 69,000-square-foot Fruitport Township facility would include 1,700 slot machines, 35 table games, a 220-room hotel, and event and conference space, as well as dining and entertainment areas.
The Muskegon area is a part of the tribe’s ancestral lands and currently home to the largest population of tribal citizens in its service area, according to Tribal Council Speaker Ron Pete.
“A casino in Muskegon County will enable the Tribe to provide jobs, housing, health care, education and other services to our elders and youth,” Pete said in a statement. “It will also provide a very positive economic impact for the Muskegon community.”
The tribe expects the casino would create 1,000 to 1,500 jobs, as well as lead to ancillary job creation across the region. The tribe plans to fund the development internally.
Although American Indian tribes do not pay local or state taxes on trust lands, it expects the project could spur $15 million in state tax revenue, in addition to millions in local taxes.
“It’s not only about jobs and economic development, Muskegon has needed this for a while,” Romanelli said, citing a 90-percent local approval rate for the project since it was proposed. “It’s one of the biggest projects to hit Muskegon County in quite a while. It’s good news the region needs right now, and it’s a good shot in the arm that Muskegon County needs.”
In some ways, Romanelli said the timing of the process could prove beneficial for the casino project, which can now incorporate best practices around air filtration and spacing that have been learned during the pandemic.
Little Rivers Casino Michigan
He added that he’s been buoyed by the community’s support for the tribe and the casino project over the long process.
“We’ve been ready for a long time,” Romanelli said. “We’re absolutely ready for this now, and West Michigan is ready for this as well. It’s a long time coming, and we’re still not done yet.”
Little River Casino
Little River Casino
2700 Orchard Drive
Manistee Michigan 49660
Phone : (231) 723-1535
Minimum Age: 21
Little River Casino boasts a large gaming floor with over 75,000 square feet of exciting gaming fun. The casino has all of the best gaming choices from slots to video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, let it ride, Caribbean stud poker, three card poker, craps and so much more. In addition the casino features a hotel with rooms from just under $90 and an RV park with a whopping 95 spaces open from April to November. The casino has over 1,500 slots machines with tables and promotions. Little River Casino is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with free valet parking and great dinning choices. Slots choices include Battleship, Ghost busters, Tarzan, Ultimate X Poker, Code Red and more.
Little River Casino Promotions
Promotions are available at this casino throughout the month and chance month to month. The casino offers players live entertainment with past performances and events like M & M Polka Fest, Country’s Family Reunion, Glen Campbell, Where the Action is, Bobby Vinton and so much more.
Michigan Little River Casino Resort
Little River Casino Amenities
The hotel features almost 300 rooms with suites and standard rooms. Specials are also available with an indoor pool, sauna and hot tub. Players who want to stay at the RV park can also utilize these great amenities. The casino hotel offers amenities such as a concierge service, complimentary valet parking, massage services, gift shops, golf arrangements, exercise facilities and in-room amenities include a hair dryer, safe, 2 like telephone, cable television, premium channels, iron and ironing board, wireless high speed internet and so much more. The hotel features standard rooms, luxury suites, mini-suites and fireplace rooms. Dining choices at the casino include The Willows Buffet which features 100 buffet items and entrees by themselves. The buffet is open from 11:59PM to 10Pm on the weekends. Heron at the river is open from 7am to 12pm and offers breakfast lunch & dinner as well. The Rapids is your 24 hour a day spot with pastries, desserts, salads, pizza and so much more. Room service is also available for guests anytime between 6am and 12am.
Little River Casino Review
Little River Casino has a great selection of gaming choices from slots to tables, bingo and more. Players will be able to find a really great selection of dining choices with a buffet, one deli type of eatery that is open 24 hours a day and two different restaurants aside from that. The room service is open during normal hours and hotel rooms start at around $90.
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