Tribe advances plan for $180M casino

Tribe advances plan for $180M casino

Country singer and songwriter Sara Evans performs at the Little River Casino Resort. Photo via fb.com

A tribe is moving forward with a long-time plan for a casino in the region on land it has owned for years.

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians said this week that it filed an application with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to take 60 acres of land into trust for the $180-million casino and economic development project at the former Great Lakes Downs horse racing track in Muskegon County's Fruitport Township.

The approval process could take years.

The tribe is proposing a casino, restaurants and a 220-room hotel at the site.

The project is designed to jump-start the local economy and boost tribal government services.

Great Lakes Downs closed in 2007, and the Little River Band purchased the property in 2008.

The tribe operates the Little River Casino Resort in Manistee.