Gun Lake Tribal Government has shared a total of $207,705,665 in funding with the State and local organizations since 2011
Contact:
Cean Burgeson
(269) 397-1780 XT 1212
(269) 615-9269 (cell)
BRADLEY, MICH., Oct. 2, 2024 – Today, the Gun Lake Tribe participated in Wayland Union School’s ribbon cutting ceremony for its newly updated soccer facility. WUS was able to install a turf field during the renovation due to the $1,975,871.68 the District received as part of the Local Revenue Sharing Board distributions from the Gun Lake Tribe for the 2023-2024 school year. The payments are part of a compact with the State of Michigan to provide a percentage of Gun Lake Casino’s gaming revenue to the State and to local organizations.
As part of 2024’s payments, the State of Michigan received $4,889,063 from Gun Lake Tribe, while the Local Revenue Sharing Board received $2,246,765. GLIMI, a non-gaming economic development entity with both Tribal and State oversight, received $1,460,758. The revenue sharing payments are distributed semi-annually based on electronic gaming revenues.
“We’re incredibly proud to be able to provide these funds to deserving local organizations such as Wayland Union Schools,” said Gun Lake Tribal Chairman Bob Peters. “Thanks to the hard work of the team members at Gun Lake Casino, we’ve been able to generate significant Local Revenue Sharing Board funds each year since we opened the casino in 2011.”
These funds have also been used for other District needs, such as training teachers, purchasing school supplies and buying new buses for the District. The school district has three categories that this financial support is generally used for: Instructional Support, Community Support and Public Improvement.
“We’re truly grateful for this ongoing support from the Tribe,” said Wayland Union Schools Superintendent, Tim Reeves. “This support has helped us with instructional aids such as our iPad program and has allowed us to help the community by reducing preschool tuition fees and eliminating pay-to-play for our athletic programs. It has funded a full-time security officer, and we’ve been able to put a portion of the money aside in a public improvement fund for projects such as the soccer field turf we cut the ribbon on today.”
Since Gun Lake Casino opened in 2011, $207,705,665 in total payments have been distributed to GLIMI, the State of Michigan and the Local Revenue Sharing Board.
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About Gun Lake Tribe
The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi (Gun Lake Tribe) has a rich history in West Michigan and close connection to the land. The Bradley Indian Mission, located near Wayland, is the historic residential and cultural center point of the tribal community. The Tribe’s ancestors, and political predecessors, signed treaties with the United States government dating back to 1795. The Tribe was re-affirmed to federal recognition in 1999. For more information about the Tribe, visit https://gunlaketribe-nsn.gov/.
About Gun Lake Casino
Gun Lake Casino, a premier gaming and entertainment destination, is located off Exit 61 on U.S. 131, halfway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Gun Lake Casino has begun a $300-million expansion which features a 252-room 4-diamond hotel, a full-service spa, meeting space, and additional dining options. The Wawyé Oasis, a stunning 32,000-square-foot glass atrium with a year-round tropical climate, will feature a state-of-the-art entertainment center with multiple pools. This space will also serve as a vibrant nightclub, live concert venue, and versatile banquet facility. The expansion is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2025.
Currently, the casino offers a variety of thrilling gaming options, including 2,300 state-of-the-art slot machines, over 50 table games, a live poker room, a modern sportsbook, and keno. Gun Lake Casino is comprised of high-quality dining amenities, including Shkodé Chophouse with a contemporary take on American cuisine, CBK (Craft·Bar·Kitchen) inspired by the brewery culture in Michigan, 131 Sportsbar & Lounge with over 6,500 square feet of meeting space, and over 1,000 square feet of viewing surface for panoramic views of live event, and Harvest Buffet featuring fresh ingredients, cooked to order.
Gun Lake Casino is owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi. Gun Lake Casino is committed to giving back by seeking opportunities to improve the quality of life in the community in which it serves. We believe it is a privilege and responsibility to help build and maintain a positive and healthy community. For more information, visit www.gunlakecasino.com.
