The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is pleased to announce a check for $1.2 million was presented to the Mayor’s office, representing the first payment of the voluntary revenue sharing agreement between the Pokagon Band and the City of South Bend.
“This investment in our homeland is important to us,” said Matt Wesaw, Chairman of the Pokagon Band. “We know that strong schools and healthcare are important to Pokagons and our neighbors. South Bend is a city with the vision to support the same quality of life we do. We look forward to a long and impactful partnership.”
The Pokagon Band voluntarily entered into an agreement with South Bend to make annual payments from revenue derived from its Class II gaming devices at Four Winds South Bend. The annual payments are in lieu of property tax payments and provide funding for City services related to the Band’s trust lands in South Bend. One percent of the Class II revenues is paid directly to the City and the other one percent is paid to the South Bend Redevelopment Commission to contribute to the improvement of educational opportunities and to address poverty and unemployment in the City. The agreement between South Bend and the Pokagon Band is like those in three additional communities where Four Winds Casinos operate: New Buffalo, Hartford and Dowagiac in Michigan.
“The City is thrilled to receive the first installment in the voluntary revenue sharing agreement with the Pokagon Band,” said Mayor Pete Buttigieg. “This agreement is one of the only of its kind and reflects our strong working relationship with the Tribe. These funds will help the City further empower our residents to thrive.”
“The Pokagon Band pays close attention to every facet of the communities where their properties are located,” said Frank Freedman, Chief Operating Officer of Four Winds Casinos. “South Bend has supported us from the day we announced our plans to build here. From our opening in January of this year to the present day, we’re reminded of how strong this community is.”
About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians’ sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994. The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care and cultural preservation for its approximately 5,000 citizens. The Pokagon Band’s ten-county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana. Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind. In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011 and Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013. Four Winds South Bend opened January 16, 2018. It owns and operates a variety of businesses via Mno-Bmadsen, the tribe’s non-gaming investment enterprise. More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov,www.fourwindscasino.com and www.mno-bmadsen.com.
