Casino Operations
Our new Casino debt is a huge issue that needs to be addressed and monitored by all of our Tribe. The Casino is the main source of funding for our Government operations and per cap payments. The loan and interest are a priority. Casino payments for our Government and per cap are a priority. Complete knowledge of our Casino financing and operations are needed to assist in the success of our Casino. The debt on the Casino cannot be allowed to hurt Tribal Citizens.
We believe that the Chair and Vice Chair should have a complete understanding of Casino operations. Dexter and I are not Casino managers. We believe this knowledge is crucial to our Tribe's success. I want to know the pros and cons of our operation. Meaningful communication between the Casino and the Chair and Vice Chair will insure informed decision making by Tribal leadership. Additionally, this communication will allow us to keep the Tribal membership better informed.
The new Casino would be performing better if the overhead wasn't so high. The electric bill at Odawa Casino is approximately $1 million dollars per year. A plan was devised by our Tribe's Energy Work Group to provide wind power to create electricity for our Casino. The current cost of our electricity at the Odawa Casino could be paid for by windmills. The cost of two windmills would be paid for in approximately 8 years. After paying off the windmills, we profit $1 million a year in electricity. We had the foresight to educate ourselves in renewable energy, now we need to follow through. Dexter and I will pursue wind power for our Tribe.
Dexter and I want to increase the percentage of Tribal Preferred workers at the Odawa Casino. We believe current hiring policies and rules hurt Tribal families. Only 24% of our Casino work force is made up of Tribal Citizens. Raising this percentage up just slightly to 30% would mean an additional 13.5 jobs for our Tribal Citizens. We can do even better! Tribal Citizens make up 76% of our Tribal Government's work force. Raising the percentage to a 76% Tribal Preferred work force at our Casino would mean an additional 225 jobs for our Tribal Citizens.
Migwetch