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Gambling payout

Marquette, Baraga county sites get boost from gaming

MARQUETTE –A proposed underpass project in Marquette Township got a boost from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community with a $25,000 gaming distribution.

The Marquette Township payment is one of 12 KBIC bi-annual distribution payments totaling $161,747.78. The distribution amount is derived from 2 percent of the net win from all Class III electronic games of chance, or slot machines, at the Ojibwa Casino-Marquette from the period of April 1 through September 30, according to a KBIC statement released Wednesday.

Township Planner Jason McCarthy said the latest KBIC disbursement increases the local amount of charitable donations collected or pledged to $105,000 for the proposed $2.5 million project to build an underpass beneath U.S. 41.

“This donation, coupled with their previous contribution of $15,919.72, brings their total funding level to $40,919.72,” McCarthy said. “Without these funds, and the other generous donations from residents, businesses, and organizations, this project wouldn’t even be in discussion.”

The distribution funds for the underpass project, McCarthy said, are an “excellent example” of what public and private partnerships accomplish with a common vision.

“We look forward to raising the rest of the required local match in the coming months so that we may bring this transportation-oriented, community enhancement project to fruition,” McCarthy said.

Other Marquette County recipients of the KBIC distribution include: City of Marquette, Hospitality House of the U.P – Beacon House – $5,000; Chocolay Township Fire, Police, Public Works Department and Water Tower – $70,000; Marquette County Meals on Wheels – $5,000; Marquette County Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter – $1,000; Marquette County Superior Watershed Partnership – $15,270; Marquette County RSVP and Aging Services – $4,477.78; Marquette County Northern Michigan University Native American Service Agency Powwow – $7,000; Marquette County Prosecutors Office – Child Advocacy – $5,000; Marquette Area Public Schools Title VII Native American Education Program – $6,500; Forsyth Township/Michigan State Police and the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team – $10,000; Forsyth Township/Trail Riders Enthusiast Alliance – $2,500; and Onata Township/Central U.P. Trails – $5,000.

Baraga County units of government will receive eight biannual payments totaling $129,291.03 derived from the Ojibwa Casino Resort-Baraga.

The payments consist of: $31,445.47 to Baraga County; $37,857.09 to Baraga Area Schools; $12,667.15 to Baraga Township; $15,000 to Bay Ambulance in Baraga Township, $9,737.93 to the Village of Baraga, $18,894.52 to L’Anse Area Schools, $2,129.77 to L’Anse Township and $1,559.10 to the Village of L’anse.

In addition to the 2 percent payments to local units of government, KBIC distributes 8 percent of its gaming proceeds to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The November 2017 distribution for the Ojibwa Casino Resort-Baraga totaled $517,164.15 and $646,991.12 for the Ojibwa Casino Marquette.

Local units of government within Marquette and Baraga counties that wish to apply for the awards that will be distributed in May 2018 should submit written requests before March 31.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.

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