Casino proposed for Sturgis

STURGIS, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - City commissioners in Sturgis are talking casino, and the folks who live there want to make sure they have a say.

Newschannel 3 learned on Wednesday that the tribe behind the casino is the Burt Lake Tribe of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

Commissioners in Sturgis met Wednesday night with the goal to give anyone living in the area a chance to share their thoughts. About 650 people showed up, and Newschannel 3 was there.

Many in Sturgis feel that the prospect of 2,000 permanent jobs is something too good to pass up, however others believe the moral cost will simply be to high, and all the voices had a chance to be heard Wednesday night.

There was a round of applause as the tribal chairman of the Burt Lake Band finished up a presentation on what he hopes to do with a casino in Sturgis.

For many at the meeting, a casino means only one thing.

"Jobs, a lot of jobs, a lot of traffic coming in and out for hotels and restaurants," said Gary Bland, who is in favor of the casino.

It is estimated that the casino would bring in approximately 3,000 jobs, most of them permanent, but for some at the meeting, the cost is just too high.

"I think it will bring in prostitution, with a big truck stop, it will bring in probably more drug trafficking," said Margo Hooley, who is against the casino.

Even those who did not attend Wednesday night's meeting hold strong opinions, in downtown Sturgis The Coffee and Chocolate Company has been taking a poll of their customers, they say most want the casino, with something like 63 percent of customers in support.

Employees feel it could help a slight lull in sales.

"I feel it could definitely add to it personally," said employee Jaime Hypes, "anything that brings people into the community, they're bound to check out downtown."

However, all the support in the world doesn't mean a casino will appear anytime soon. The land will have to be designated a sovereign tribal reservation by Congress, an obstacle made more challenging by the fact that the Burt Lake Band is recognized by the state, but not by the federal government.

There are significant legislative obstacles at both the city and state level standing in the way of the casino's progress.

If the Sturgis casino gets a green light it would mean three major casinos, all brand new and all along three major West Michigan highways. One is practically finished near Battle Creek along I-94 and another off US-131 in Wayland Township just got clearance.