The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Plans to Open a Gaming Facility in Benzonia

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians plans to open a gaming facility in Benzonia.

“The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians wishes to share with the public the exciting news that the tribe will open a new gaming facility on its trust land in Benzie County. The facility will create much-needed new employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth for the tribe and for the local community,” reads an undated press release on the tribe’s website.

The gaming facility will be located at the tribe’s community center at 7282 Hoadley Road, in Benzonia, according to the release.

At the Nov. 26 Benzie County Board of Commissioners, John Petoskey spoke to commissioners about the gaming facility on behalf of the tribe.

Petoskey said he had been in contact with county officials about the gaming facility.

“What the tribe would like to do is to open a gaming facility on Hoadly Road just down the street from the Wesco gas station,” Petoskey said.

He said the tribe submitted a notice of notification to the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Office of Indian Gaming in the summer of 2023.

“In the view of the tribe, this site is eligible for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act under what’s know as restored land exception to the categorical prohibition of gaming after 1988. That was basically the same argument the tribe used for Turtle Creek and was successful in that case,” Petoskey said.

He said state officials also have been notified of the tribe’s intent.

Petoskey said federal officials had 120 days to review the notice and object.

“At this point, they have not raised objections, so our internal gaming commission at the Grand Traverse Band issued a gaming license on Nov. 21,” he said.

He said after the license was issued, the tribe reached out to Benzie County officials so that they would know what was going on at tribal land and could answer questions from the public.

The tribal center will be renovated to accommodate gaming The tribe also has a housing development on the property.

Petoskey said the facility will feature slot machines and table games.

Work on the renovation has already started, including electrical and architectural work.

Expanded parking may be constructed if “demand is sufficient” Petoskey said.

He also said the gaming facility would create between 20 and 50 jobs.