Tribe doles out 2 percent of revenue

FROM STAFF REPORTS

August 10, 2008 12:00 am

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PESHAWBESTOWN -- More than $700,000 in gambling revenue payments will be distributed to local governments and other agencies as part of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewas' twice-yearly allocation under its gambling compact with the state.

The band's Tribal Council distributes 2 percent of gambling revenues derived from slot machines under the agreement. The council reviewed 111 applications totaling more than $4 million for its latest funding cycle, and approved 26 awards totaling $720,159.

The funding includes more than $108,000 for prisoner bed contracts in Leelanau, Antrim, Benzie and Charlevoix counties, including $63,875 for Leelanau.

Several local public school districts also received funds to help pay for support services for American Indian students. They included $100,000 to Suttons Bay, $86,000 to Traverse City, $33,00 to Charlevoix, $30,000 each to Northport and Elk Rapids, $17,000 for Boyne City, $9,000 to East Jordan and $8,000 for Forest Area public schools.

Whitewater Township will receive $100,000 to provide water service to its fire/rescue facility, while the Traverse City Senior Center was awarded $25,000 for programming and the Father Fred Foundation $25,000 for its Families in Crisis program.

Other awards include:

-- $30,000 to the Traverse Bay Intermediate School District for its "Life Balance Initiative" program.

-- $20,000 to East Jordan for a Jordan River watershed study.

-- $15,000 to Leelanau Christian Neighbors to help the needy.

-- $15,000 to the Leelanau County Economic Development Corp. for a revolving loan fund for local business start-up and expansion.

-- $15,000 to the Champion Tree Project for its Earth Day initiative.

-- $13,486 to Michael's Place for services to grieving families.

-- $13,486 to Suttons Bay School's Educational Advancement Fund to help pay for extra curricular activities.

Smaller awards also went to the Central Lake Police Department ($4,100), the local Junior Achievement program ($8,000), Lakeshore Community Free Clinic ($8,500) and St. James Township on Beaver Island ($6,000).