3 Michigan tribal economic development entities form ‘historic’ construction joint venture
Enterprise zone: Three tribes forge historic partnership
November 16, 20223 West Michigan tribes launch joint venture firm
November 17, 20223 Michigan tribal economic development entities form ‘historic’ construction joint venture
Pechanga.net
November 16, 2022
A trio of non-gaming tribal economic development entities has formed a rare real estate development, construction and property management joint venture that’s considered the first of its kind in the Midwest.
Aki Construction LLC brings together leaders from Odawa Economic Affairs Holding Corp., or Odawa Holdings, Mno-Bmadsen and Gun Lake Investments who share similar missions to advance tribal prosperity through economic diversification.
“At Odawa Holdings, we are ecstatic to be taking the first steps in this venture alongside GLI and Mno-Bmadsen,” Shanna Shananaquet, executive director of Odawa Holdings, said in a statement. “Together, our goal is to be a leader with tribal-driven construction projects within the Midwest and across the country. We look forward to watching this unique platform grow with the collaborative mindset of family, culture and tradition.”
Odawa Holdings is the Harbor Springs-based, non-gaming economic development arm of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. Mno-Bmadsen is the non-gaming investment arm of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, while Gun Lake Investments is the Grand Rapids-based economic development arm of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe.
The formation of Aki Construction “sets the tone” for additional collaborations, said Mno-Bmadsen CEO Julio Martinez
“Our vision is to continue to uplift one another’s tribes by capturing the synergistic results of this collaboration,” Martinez said in a statement. “We expect this joint venture to expand on the very important work we do to grow our tribe’s economic development investments for the benefit of future generations.”
Gun Lake Investments CEO Monica King said the partnership is the first of its kind in the Midwest and represents a “historic milestone.”