August 2009 will be witnessing the launch and establishment of the Firekeeper’s Casino at a 107,000-square-foot space near Battle Creek.  The 107,000-square-foot space is situated in 78 acres alongside the Interstate 94 in Calhoun County's Emmett Township, which is situated about 60 miles south-southeast of Grand Rapids.  Notably, this will be the 19th tribal casino.

About 2,680 slot machines fresh from the trucks were unraveled during a red-carpet ceremony on Monday, June 01, 2009. Previously, it was thought that there will be a total of 2500 slots in this casino. The ownership of the business is attributable to the 1000-member Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians.

“I think we are going to do just fine” stated R. Bruce McKee, FireKeepers' general manager.

The casino is influenced by the “Compact of 1998” like many other counties.  According to the compact of the tribe with the state will require it to pay 8% of its slot revenue to the state and 2 percent will be used for a board which will be representing local governments.

The leaders from the Calhoun County have been previously assessing via a road trip on how the other counties affected by the compact are spending their 2% revenue.  A committee is also getting formed in this regard.

Apart from having slots, the FireKeepers will also be housing 78 gaming tables, rooms for playing poker and bingo.  There will be five operating restaurants and a parking garage.  The casino is expected to create 1500 jobs in the area.