Shown is the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s Ojibwa Casino in Chocolay Township. (Journal file photo)

BARAGA — The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has announced its recent gaming distributions.

Since 1993, KBIC has been making biannual payments from gaming proceeds of its casinos to local units of government and to the state of Michigan. The 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, with local units of government allowed to make requests throughout the year. They can also act as pass-through agents, allowing the money to be distributed to area nonprofits and organizations.

From Oct. 1, 2018, through March 31, distributions totaling about $151,300 were made to local units of government in Marquette County. Chocolay Township’s water tower, and police, fire and public works departments, are to receive $76,000.

The Superior Watershed Partnership and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program will be the recipients of about $33,230. Roughly $27,300 will be given to the Marquette Township Fire Department.

The Sands Township Fire Department will receive $5,000 while Bay Cliff Health Camp will receive about $4,000.

The Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum will receive about $3,230. Around $2,500 will go toward T.E.A.M. in Forsyth Township.

Baraga County is to receive about $111,700, approximately $37,000 of which will go to Baraga Area Schools.

About $32,400 will be given to Bay Ambulance in Baraga Township, while approximately $19,500 will go to the Baraga Fire Department.

L’Anse Area Schools will receive about $18,500, and L’Anse Township will be the recipient of about $2,000.

The village of L’Anse will receive about $1,500, and Baraga County will receive about $740.

The 8% payments are made to the Michigan Economic Development Corp. The May distribution for Ojibwa Casino-Marquette totaled about $605,200 while distribution for Ojibwa Casino Resort-Baraga totaled about $447,000.

The next cycle of awards will be made in November. Written requests received before Sept. 30 will be considered.