THE NOTTAWASEPPI HURON BAND OF THE POTAWATOMI AND FIREKEEPERS CASINO HOTEL ANNOUNCE ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND LOCAL REVENUE SHARING BOARD
Demonstrating the lasting impact of this dedication, NHBP’s total contributions for the year reached an impressive $24.5 million. The State of Michigan received $18.5 million, while the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board (FLRSB) was awarded $6 million—funding that directly supports vital programs and services. Since FireKeepers Casino Hotel opened in August 2009, NHBP has contributed more than $253.8 million to the State of Michigan and $84.6 million to the FLRSB, bringing the total lifetime contributions to an extraordinary $338.5 million. Over the past four years, FireKeepers has contributed over $105 million to the State and FLRSB!
Two checks were presented from NHBP and FireKeepers; the first for $18,518,203 was presented to Emerson Silvernail, Chief of Staff for State Representative Sarah Lightner, who represents Michigan’s 45 House of Representatives District, an area which includes FireKeepers. The second check for $6,077,823 was presented to Derek King, Vice-Chair of FLRSB. The funds distributed are part of a negotiated agreement between NHBP and the state for 2024 operations at NHBP’s FireKeepers Casino Hotel.
"Our outstanding performance is a tribute to the resort destination we have created and the award-winning guest service of our more than 2000 valued team members," stated Dorie Rios, Tribal Council Chairperson for the NHBP. "The tribe is proud of contributing over a quarter of a billion dollars to the state of Michigan in our gaming history and nearly $85 million to our local community, plus purchasing from Michigan vendors is always a priority.”
FireKeepers Casino Hotel, a pillar of economic development in the region, continues to make a lasting impact through its financial contributions and community partnerships. With a dedicated workforce of approximately 2,044 Team Members, FireKeepers remains one of the area's leading employers. “FireKeepers is more than just a casino—it’s a driving force for economic growth and community support,” said Frank Tecumseh, Chief Executive Officer at FireKeepers Casino Hotel. “From funding key programs like the Kendall Street Food Pantry to sponsoring premier events like the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway and the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Golf Championship, we are committed to making a lasting impact. Our success allows us to give back in meaningful ways, strengthening the region and enhancing opportunities for those who live and work here.”
Since opening, FireKeepers has invested more than $1.13 billion in wages, benefits, and incentives for its Team Members. This includes total wages, health insurance, 401(k) matches, and performance-based incentives, reinforcing FireKeepers’ reputation as an employer of choice.
The NHBP and FireKeepers Casino Hotel are committed to reinvesting in local communities and supporting charitable efforts across Michigan and neighboring states. Noteworthy initiatives include overseeing the Kendall Street Pantry in downtown Battle Creek, an agency of the South Michigan Food Bank, as well as donations of over 2000 turkeys at Thanksgiving and a huge holiday toy and food distribution in the Christmas season.
A 2016 Compact Amendment between the NHBP and the State of Michigan allows for annual state revenue sharing payments of up to $500,000 to the Michigan Native American Heritage Fund. Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Chairperson Dorie Rios and Vice Chairperson Robyn Elkins serve as appointed members of the Heritage Fund Board. In 2024, this fund provided financial assistance and reimbursements to public and private K-12 schools, colleges, universities, local governments, and other organizations to enhance curricula and educational resources related to Michigan Indian history. It also supported projects that promote positive relationships and accurate information regarding the history and role of Michigan’s Indian tribes and Native Americans. Grant recipients include Albion College, Camden Frontier School, East Jordan Public Schools, Gladstone Area Schools, Grand Ledge Public Schools, Grand Valley State University, Okemos Public Schools, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Port Huron Area School District, and Suttons Bay Public Schools.
The NHBP is steadfast in ensuring that FireKeepers Casino Hotel supports local businesses and suppliers, as well as extending contributions to the local economy beyond the FLRSB and state distribution. As a result, spending in Michigan, particularly in our local communities, increased over 15% in 2024 vs 2023, with contracts awarded totaling over $53 million in 2024 and surpassing $808 million to date.
- Greater Calhoun County Region: $6.5 million (Calhoun, Jackson, Branch)
- West Michigan: $21.4 million (Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Grand Traverse, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, Van Buren)
- Lansing Area: $9.8 million (Ingham, Eaton, Clinton)
- Metro Detroit: $3.2 million (Wayne)
- Other: $12.1 million (Chippewa, Genesee, Gratiot, Ionia, Livingston, Macomb, Manistee, Marquette, Mecosta, Midland, Monroe, Newaygo, Oakland, Saginaw, St. Clair, Shiawassee, Washtenaw, Wexford)
The check presented to the FLRSB is the fifteenth distribution since the first distribution in Feb. 2010, when the NHBP presented a check to the FLRSB for nearly $2 million. The $84.6 million distributed to date has benefited a diverse array of groups, including:
- Harper Creek Community Schools
- Calhoun County Road Commission
- Emmett Township
- Calhoun County
- Calhoun Intermediate School District
- Kellogg Community College
- Willard Library
- Athens Township
- Marshall Township
- City of Marshall
- City of Battle Creek
- Athens Area Schools
- Village of Athens
- Battle Creek Public Schools
- Marshall Public Schools
- Lakeview School District
- Pennfield Schools
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NHBP, a federally recognized Tribal government with more than 1,600 enrolled Tribal Members, gained federal recognition December 19, 1995. The Tribe’s main offices are located at the Pine Creek Indian Reservation near Athens, Michigan, and in Grand Rapids, Michigan. NHBP provides benefits, programs, and services to Tribal Members through various Tribal government departments, as well as a Tribal Police Department, Tribal Court and Gaming Commission.NHBP’s economic development entities include FireKeepers Casino Hotel, a Vegas-style casino, and Waséyabek Development Company, LLC, which focuses on the pursuit of non-gaming, economic diversification opportunities.
For more information visit nhbp-nsn.gov.
FireKeepers Casino Hotel, conveniently located just off Interstate 94 at Exit 104 in Battle Creek, MI, has been acclaimed as the Best Casino by audiences in Western Michigan and Northern Indiana. Furthermore, it has garnered over 30 awards in the Casino Player Magazine's Best of Gaming 2024 Native Midwest category, including the esteemed title of Best Overall Gaming Resort, and has also been awarded Best Overall Dining by Casino Player Magazine’s Best of Dining & Nightlife, affirming its status as a premier destination for gaming and dining alike. FireKeepers has been recognized as a Best-in-State Employer by Forbes and Employer of the Year by Michigan Works! Association. Additionally, it was chosen as one of the Best Casinos to Work For by Casino Player Magazine. FireKeepers' signature restaurant, Nibi, is a multiple recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and was awarded a AAA Four Diamond designation in 2023. The property features 2,700 slot machines, 63 table games, and a 26-table live poker room. FireKeepers’ resort-style hotel has been rated AAA Four Diamond for ten consecutive years and offers 446 rooms, a functional multi-purpose event center, six distinctive dining destinations, and multiple lounges. FireKeepers is the title sponsor of the FireKeepers Casino 400, a NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, and a host of the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, an EPSON Tour-Road to the LPGA golf event. For more information, visit FireKeepersCasino.com.
FireKeepers Casino Hotel is owned and operated by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.
