Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan
Working with ITC, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan was able to build and connect its seven-megawatt electrical substation to the nearby bulk electric power transmission system.
THE CHALLENGE
While the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan saw huge success with the popularity of its casino, it had to shut down its operation when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the region in early 2020. But, prior to this, the tribe was already working on ways to diversify its revenue stream.
THE SOLUTION
Working with Michigan Electric Transmission Company, a subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp, the tribe was able to build and connect its seven-megawatt electrical substation to the nearby bulk electric power transmission system. The substation was originally constructed to support a hotel connected to its casino, but by leveraging ITC’s experience and connections with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the Tribe was able to establish the only Tribal Electric Authority in Michigan. By creating its own electric utility, the Tribe can make wholesale power purchases directly through the MISO and sell it to businesses located on tribal trust lands. What originally began as a power need for the hotel turned into an economic development tool with the potential to create new revenue streams for the tribe.
ITC is now collaborating, where needed, with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe to promote economic development within its tribal trust lands.
“We’re using our tribal utility as the driver for economic development. We’re directly connecting to the bulk power system. Now we’re getting cheaper power and finding ways to monetize it. Having our own tribal utility allows us to sell power to non-tribal entities. It’s what we’re using as the tip of our economic development spear.”
Kevin Blaser, Business Growth, Development and Energy Specialist with the Migizi Economic Development Co., the tribe’s economic development arm
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