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County Board supports KBIC land trust request

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community President Chris Swartz, on behalf of the tribe, asked the County Board Tuesday to approve the KBIC request to place a parcel of land into trust status near the tribe’s Ojibwa II Casino in Chocolay Township. (Journal photos by Kelsie Thompson)

MARQUETTE — The Marquette County Board at its regular meeting Tuesday supported a request by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community to place a 64-acre parcel of land near the tribe’s Ojibwa II Casino in Chocolay Township in trust.

The board unanimously agreed to support a reduction in property tax capture contingent on 2 percent gaming funds being allocated to meet or exceed the ad valorum taxes.

The current tax capture, according to documents provided by the county is about $2,500, while the projected taxes estimated with proposed building improvements is about $25,000.

“(The tribe) should have no problem committing $25,000 to Marquette County,” said Chris Swartz, KBIC president. “We’re committed to Marquette County. We’re here. We’ve always been here. We’ll be here forever. It’s a win-win situation, not only for KBIC but also for Marquette County.”

The KBIC is planning a $33.5 million project to expand its casino facility, add a 80- to 100-room hotel and 120-seat restaurant at the site, increase the size of the parking lot, relocate a campground and add two or three townhomes. The project would also require improvements to infrastructure, including a 75,000 to 100,000 gallon elevated water storage tank and access roads.

Swartz told the commissioners the KBIC is committed to creating and keeping quality jobs in Marquette County.

“With the loss of over 400 jobs at the Empire Mine, we want to be part of that solution,” he said. “We want to keep good-paying jobs here. We’re not the biggest employer in Marquette County, but we certainly want to do our part.”

Swartz said he would bring the request to the tribal council for approval.

Board Chairman Gerald Corkin said the tax capture, while not a large amount, is important to consider.

“It’s not a real big amount of money, but it’s important because we provide a lot of the basic services, which are the bread and butter for a lot of the citizens,” Corkin said.

The change will take effect in 2018.

On Jan. 9, the Chocolay Township Board decided to not oppose the land being placed into trust, but asked the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs to wait on placing the land in trust until after the casino expansion project is complete.

Information gathered by the county and Chocolay Township will be forwarded to the Secretary of the Interior, which will make a determination whether to acquire the property in trust.

Kelsie Thompson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is kthompson@miningjournal.net.

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