Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe distributes around $2.3 million in Isabella County
The sign for Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort sits on Nov. 22 on 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd.
Census preparations, after school programs and more were funded from casino gaming revenues on Thursday.
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe released its second 2% distribution of the year on Nov. 21. These biannual distributions come from slot-machine revenues at Soaring Eagle Casino to be distributed to local government entities In Isabella and Arenac counties, said Interim Public Relations Director for the tribe Erik Rodriguez.
This is part of a settlement reached between the state of Michigan and the tribes in Michigan back in 1993. The tribe distributes 2% of gaming revenues in lieu of paying taxes, Rodriguez said.
In total, around $2.3 million was distributed in Isabella County, with around $1.2 million going to government and around $1.05 million going to education and schools.
The City of Mount Pleasant received $257,965 for programs and equipment like:
- Partners Empowering All Kids (PEAK), an after school program
- Preparation for the 2020 U.S. Census
- Mid-Michigan Investigative Narcotics Team
- Cold water rescue suits
- Technical rescue team equipment
- Septic receiving station
- Jetscan sewer camera
Isabella County itself received $325,000 for PFAS sampling at the Isabella County Landfill, the Isabella Recycling Program and the Isabella County Commission on Aging.
Mount Pleasant Public Schools received $430,546 in funds for many different services, items and programs, including:
- Therapy dogs
- Library books
- Musical instruments
- Study trips
- Reading programs
The full list of the most recent fund distributions can be found here.
