All 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan participated in the study that found the 78 tribal business entities generated an economic impact of $1.24 billion statewide last year. Jessi Goldner, Vice President of Strategic Engagement at Waseyabek, was the project lead, and says it is important for the public to recognize tribal businesses beyond highly visible casino gaming.
“We do federal contracting. There are businesses in 16 industries, so it really is all over the map. “
On average the businesses have been in operation for more than 15 years, employing more than 2,800 workers who earn an average of nearly $60,000 a year. Goldner offers examples in West Michigan.
“Our company, Waseyabek, owns the McKay Tower in Grand Rapids which is a mixed-use building with Gun Lake Investments. We have Safari Circuit in Otsego, which is a circuit board manufacturer. Baker Engineering in Nunica, Michigan does manufacturing as well as we have RSI manufacturing in Muskegon.
Golder says the guiding principle is investing in local communities and future generations.
“We do investment so that we can continue to support our cultural preservation and support the environment and support the economic vitality of our tribal nations.”
Data shows the tribal businesses paid nearly $136 million in taxes to federal and state governments in 2024.
The findings were produced by Native-owned analysis company, aLocal.ai.
The 2024 Michigan Non-Gaming Tribal Economic Impact Study, a collaborative report on the state of Tribal Business Entities (TBEs), was published online.
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