Grand Traverse Band Announces 2 Percent Allocations

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians announced the distribution of $814,480.71 of gaming revenue allocation to local units of government. The dollars have been allocated for 39 local applicants as part of the tribe’s “2 percent allocation,” which takes place twice per year.

Under the terms of a consent decree settling Tribes v. Engler, the Grand Traverse Band allocates 2 percent of its video gaming revenue to local units of government, as defined in the stipulation, no later than 60 days after October 1st and March 31st of each year. This payment schedule was modified with the consent of the State of Michigan to July 31st and January 31st of each year because the fiscal year of the Grand Traverse Band’s gaming operation is calendar-based.

Since the 2 percent allocation began in 1994, the Grand Traverse Band has allocated
$47,781,616.50 to local organizations.

For this 2 percent cycle, the Tribal Council voted to determine which organizations would receive
allocations. Of the 73 applications received, totaling $2,450,662.73 in requests, the Tribal Council
awarded 39 applicants a total of $814,480.71

The most recent recipients are:

Gov't to Gov't Agreement - Benzie County
Prisoner Housing Contract. $ 19,162.50

Gov't to Gov't Agreement - Charlevoix County
Prisoner Housing Contract. $ 12,775.00

Gov't to Gov't Agreement – Leelanau County
Prisoner Housing Contract. $ 44,712.50

Acme Township
Funding to replace the roof and canopy at the new Acme Township
Hall set to open in May of 2025. $ 30,000.00

Benzie County Board of Commissioners
Funding for Benzie County Senior Resources to purchase a new
2025 Chrysler Pacifica to replace the current Meals on Wheels
delivery vehicle. $ 20,000.00

Benzie County Board of Commissioners
Funding to support Hope House of Northwestern Michigan to
purchase a used vehicle to be utilized for transporting those in the
maternity program. $ 34,900.00

Benzie County Board of Commissioners
Funding to support the daily needs of Horse North Rescue, an
organization that provides education, rehabilitation, and training for
neglected seized horses. $ 10,000.00

Benzonia Township
Funding for the Township Fire Department to purchase a LUCAS
chest compression device to outfit the medical response vehicle for
cardiac emergencies. $ 24,755.24

Charter Township of Garfield
Funding to support Angel Care Childcare Center in renovating the
building they are moving into to meet licensing and building code
requirements. $ 7,000.00

City of Charlevoix
Funding to support Third Day Fellowship’s Joppa House in meeting
the daily needs of residents including food, utilities, and resident
needs. Joppa House is a transitional home for women in recovery. $ 15,000.00

City of Frankfort
Funding for the City Fire Department to purchase a Defibtech
LifeLine ARM XR Chest Compression Device to aid in effective
CPR at a medical event. $ 10,795.50

City of Traverse City
Funding to support Safe Harbor in providing year-round emergency
shelter and services for those individuals in the Grand Traverse area
experiencing homelessness. $ 50,000.00

East Bay Charter Township
Funding for East Bay Ambulance to purchase a second LUCAS
Chest Compression device for use in cardiac emergencies to meet an
increase in emergency calls. $ 21,193.07

East Bay Charter Township
Funding to make improvements at Grace McDonald Park pavilion to
make it usable year-round. Improvements include demountable
canvas sidewalls, heat elements, patio, and gas fire pit. $ 14,900.00

East Bay Charter Township
Funding to support the Elders Advisory Organization annual
operational needs of promoting connectivity and reducing isolation
for GTB elders and spouses. $ 40,000.55

Elk Rapids Public Schools
Funding to support Project Graduation 2025 which hosts a special
post-graduation celebration for outgoing seniors that is safe,
supervised, and alcohol-free. $ 5,000.00

Empire Township
Funding to purchase a SCAG 72” 40 HP Turf Tiger Z-Turn mower
for the Empire Airport. Mowing grass to specific lengths is a
necessity for flight safety. $ 5,133.00

Forest Area Community Schools
Funding to partner with SEEDS EcoSchool to develop a traditional
Ecological Knowledge (TEK) educational after-school program to
engage about 600 students in learning about their natural
surroundings and sustainable resource management techniques. $ 4,000.00

Greenspire High School
Funding to build a more sustainable food pantry for the 25-30% of
students with food insecurities. $ 7,500.00

Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners
Funding for the Office of Emergency Management to purchase a
weather station to be deployed as part of their Emergency
Management Mobile Command Trailer. This will allow for better
planning in emergent events. $ 7,636.35

Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners
Funding to support Reining Liberty Ranch for their Mini Horse
Outreach Program, equine therapies, and site costs for 80 hours of
programming. The ranch promotes physical, relational, and
emotional health of veterans and their families at no cost. $ 10,000.00

Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners
Funding to support the Parks and Recreation Department to
transform the recently acquired former Camp Greilick property into
a county park. $ 25,000.00

Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners
Funding to the Sheriff’s Department for a Grab and Go Portable
Surveillance System and wireless cameras to be used in human
trafficking investigations. $ 11,954.00

Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners
Funding to support 25% of TC Crime Stoppers annual budget. TC
Crime Stoppers is an anonymous crime tipline and helps to solve
cold cases. $ 4,500.00

Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners
Funding to support the Women’s Resource Center in running its
emergency shelter and advocacy programs for survivors of domestic
violence. $ 65,020.00

Kingsley Area Public Schools
Funding to support Project Graduation 2025 in providing a safe,
free, alcohol and drug-free event for seniors. $ 8,500.00

Lake Charlevoix EMS Authority
Funding to purchase 20 body-worn cameras and self-defense
training for staff to enhance accountability, improve training, policy
development, and to facilitate community trust. $ 3,119.80

Leelanau County Board of Commissioners
Funding for the Emergency Services Department to purchase 4 new
911 dispatch consoles, new paneling for consoles, and new carpet
for the dispatch center to allow for more efficient 911 center
operation. $ 59,545.19

Leelanau County Board of Commissioners
Funding to support Leelanau Christian Neighbors food pantry. $ 57,800.00

Leelanau County Board of Commissioners
Funding to support the VFW Little Finger Post #7731 in repairing
the Post’s 80-year-old building’s main floor and making different
areas handicap accessible. $ 12,343.16

Northwest Education Services
Funding to support Michael’s Place in continuing to provide
bereavement services for free at local schools. $ 21,000.00

Northwest Education Services
Funding to support Big Brother and Big Sisters of Northwestern
Michigan in providing matches that create a safe and nurturing
environment for 15 Native American children to thrive. $ 18,204.26

Peninsula Township
Funding for the fire department to purchase and replace 7 fire
helmets to stay in NFPA compliance. $ 2,513.37

Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library
Funding to support PoWeR! Books Bags in providing bags with
literacy materials and books to children at Benodjenh, Suttons Bay
Elementary, and Leelanau Montessori schools to bring home
throughout the year. $ 14,000.00

Suttons Bay-Bingham Fire & Rescue Authority
Funding to purchase a LifePack 35 system that can monitor a
patient's cardiac rhythm and has the ability to defibrillate, cardiovert,
and pace a patient’s adverse heart rhythm. $ 66,404.38

Traverse City Public Schools
Funding to support the School Support Network program that helps
remove barriers for students experiencing homelessness. This
funding will allow for year-round services. $ 25,000.00

Torch Lake Fire Department
Funding to purchase 7 portable 800 Mhz radios, which allows them
to connect with mutual aid partners allowing for safe and effective
operations.$ 17,632.72

Village of Beulah
Funding to support Cognition to purchase an intentionally designed,
education play structure for children and families throughout the
year. Cognition is a science and discovery center that spotlights
STEM learning experiences. $ 4,280.12

Village of Ellsworth
Funding to support Front Porch Ministries in purchasing a whole
cow and have it processed for the non-profit café that provides
affordable home-cooked meals.
$ 3,200.00