Gov. Snyder denies KBIC request, says community

MARQUETTE — The proposed plan to convert the former Marquette County Airport into an entertainment complex has been denied by Governor Rick Snyder.

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community began the process of trying to take the land into trust all the way back in 2000.

In 2013, Governor Snyder rejected the plans and prevented the KBIC from moving forward.

This year, KBIC President, Warren Swartz wrote a letter to Snyder in April; hoping the outcry of public support for the proposed project might produce concurrence from the governor.

Governor Snyder was only willing to enter a common agreement, which would allow the state to collect taxes from KBIC’s Tribal members and non-tribal customers.

KBIC rejected the demand and subsequently did not receive concurrence from Governor Snyder once again.

Governor Rick Snyder’s office released this statement tonight:

“The community reached out to the governor’s office to see if he would reconsider a previous decision, if they reapplied for the parcel to be put into trust,” said Anna Heaton, press secretary for Gov. Rick Snyder. “The governor cannot make such a determination without giving it due consideration. At this point we are not aware that the community has indeed reapplied to take the airport parcel into trust for purposes of gaming. Once the community reapplies, the governor is more than willing to continue a dialogue about how agreement can be reached.”

ABC 10 / CW 5 will have a lot more on this story in the upcoming weeks. We’ll hear from both sides, proponents and opponents in future stories. Stay with ABC10UP.com for the latest.