The KBIC says progress is being made with a new Federal administration
NEGAUNEE TWP -- Keweenaw Bay Indian Community C.E.O., Larry Denomie, was only available for a phone interview, but I didn't have to sit in front of him to sense his frustration.
The KBIC is equally as frustrated as the rest of us; they want to relocate their Ojibwa Two Casino in Harvey to the former Marquette County Airport location in Negaunee Township.
"Tribes have been waiting for many years," said Denomie.
But what have they been waiting for? What's the hold up? KBIC officials blame the U.S. Government.
"Really we're at the mercy of the Federal Government, and the red tape and the processes they use are really what we're held up by," Denomie said.
The Federal Government has to approve a Land of Trust application, which was filed in 1999, as well as another two part application filed in 2006.
KBIC officials claim the previous president slowed the process tremendously.
"What's part of the issue was the past administration," Denomie said. "The Bush administration that was in the White House, obviously for eight years, wasn't as friendly to the Indian gaming, and they didn't really do a whole lot to move these types of requests through their administration."
Denomie said Obama's administration has been much more agreeable. Since his election in 2008, the KBIC's environmental assessment of the land was completed, and a consulting session was held at the Capitol, addressing tribal concerns. But when will there be visible progress?
"We would like to hear something within the next 90-180 days that things are going in the right direction and that we can finally, once and for all, get things going on that property," Denomie said.
Of course, many of us are still skeptical, but the KBIC insists that they've recently seen increased progress from the government.
As for the casino itself, the KBIC says it will be a bigger and better version of their current location in Harvey, to be built in two phases. They plan to open the casino section first, and then phase two will add lodging.
Rumors of a water park were not confirmed nor denied, but the KBIC says the property is large enough for a wide range of possibilities.
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