Since 1993, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has been making bi-annual payments from gaming proceeds of their casinos to local units of government and to the State of Michigan. These payments are 2% and 8% respectively and are derived from the net win from all Class III electronic games of chance commonly known as slot machines.

The 2% payments are made each May and November. Local units of government may make requests throughout the year. To receive an award, the entity must first make a request in writing.

For the period of April 1, 2019 through Sept. 30, 2019, the total to be distributed to local units of government in Baraga County, which was derived from the Ojibwa Casino Resort-Baraga, was $139,372.65. The payments approved by Tribal Council for this distribution are as follows:

Baraga County $34,219.28

Baraga Area Schools $41,196.47

Baraga Township $13,784.52

Baraga Township/Bay Ambulance $10,000.00

Village of Baraga $10,596.92

Village of Baraga/Baraga Fire Deptartment $5,000.00

L’Anse Area Schools $20,561.20

L’Anse Township $2,317.63

L’Anse Village $1,696.63

Distributions totaling $174,984.69 were made to local units of government in Marquette County that were derived from the Ojibwa Casino-Marquette for the same period as follows:

City of Marquette/Hospitality House of the U.P $10,000

City of Marquette/YMCA $6,000

Chocolay Twp./Fire,Police,PW,Community,Water Tower $76,000

Mqt. Cty./Planning Div.2040 Master Plan Region Rallies $3,000

Mqt. Cty./Land Bank Auth.-Home Heating & Appliance $15,000

Mqt. Cty./Health Dept.-Dental Outreach Programs $2,000

Mqt. Cty./Lake Superior Life Care Hospice Adult Services$2,000

Mqt. Cty./Health Dept.-Suicide Prevention Alliance $5,000

Mqt. Cty./Community Action Alger Mqt Meals on Wheels $2,500

Mqt. Cty./Superior Watershed Partnership $5,000

Mqt. Cty./Aging Services-Retired & Senior Volun. Prog. $5,000

Mqt. Cty./MarqTran Bus Transportation Program $2,500

Mqt. Area Public Schools/Title VII Nat. Am. Education $6,800

Forsyth Township/Police Vehicle $21,684.69

Forsyth Township/T.E.A.M ATV’s $2,500

Onota Township/U.P. Central Trails $10,000

8% payments are made to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The November 2019 distribution for the Ojibwa Casino Resort-Baraga totaled $557,490.62 and $699,938.71 for the Ojibwa Casino-Marquette.

The next cycle of awards will be made in May 2020. Local units of government within Baraga or Marquette Counties may apply. Written requests received before March 31, 2020 will be considered.