West Michiganders React to Proposed New Casino in Fruitport Township

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The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has announced that they plan to submit a new application for a casino in Fruitport Township after the United States Department of Interior's latest decision.

Back in June, Governor Gretchen Whitmer disapproved of the original proposal for the casino because there was a separate decision about whether the DOI recognized another tribe, the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians.

Recently, the DOI granted an extension for its decision to the middle of February of 2023.

With this new application, they are calling for Governor Whitmer's support since the approval process will be shorter this time around since planning was already completed.

If approved, the proposed casino would have a hotel with 220 rooms. It is estimated to create 1,500 full-time jobs and will generate $15 million for the state's annual revenue.

However, my big question is: does anyone actually want this casino to be built?

After the news broke about this decision, many residents shared their support for the new casino.

Rebecca Sue believes that the casino,

Would be so great for Muskegon! So many jobs and opportunities would come from this!!!

Britany shared that "the community WANTS THIS."

Others are expressing the exact opposite. Some believe that people do not need this in this community.

Harry goes as far as to say:

You think the people of Muskegon are low income now, wait until this easy access to gambling becomes available!

Others have no clear opinion because they believe the casino will not get built anyway.

Just give up...it ain't happening.

It seems to be a 50/50 split between whether or not the community wants this new casino.