Wow.

From the B.C. Enquirer (via Pechanga):

Besides its Aug. 5 opening, Friday was arguably the most important date in FireKeepers Casino’s short history, because the community got its share of the profits.

The Tribal Council of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi, FireKeepers’ owners, on Friday morning presented a check for $1,933,683.41 to the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board. That money will reimburse local governments for increased costs attributable to the Emmett Township casino or the tribe’s Pine Creek Reservation in Athens Township, and also for revenue lost because tribal land is untaxable.

The money represents 2 percent of the casino’s slot revenue from its Aug. 5 opening to the Dec. 31 close of its fiscal year. The tribe is required to pay that money to local governments through a compact with the state.

The money is more than double what the tribe expected to pay the LRSB.

“We thought for a year we would be presenting $2 million,” said Laura Spurr, Tribal Council chairwoman. “This is for five months.”

“This money is to help us better the entire community,” said Mike Rae, the Calhoun County board chairman who on Friday was elected chairman of the LRSB. He spoke to the board via speakerphone from Florida. Continue reading →