The 2024 Michigan Non-Gaming Tribal Economic Impact Study marks a significant achievement in tribal economic development within the state. For the first time, all 12 federally recognized tribes have collaborated to comprehensively detail their substantial economic contributions to Michigan. Published in August 2025, this new study expands upon the first impact study from 2019, which included data from only nine tribes, providing a much more complete and detailed picture of the positive economic influence tribal businesses have across the state.
“I am grateful to see the results of the thorough, multi-year Michigan Non-Gaming Tribal Economic Impact Study prove an economic reality that we see on the ground every day, that tribal nations in Michigan have a major financial impact on working families and provide essential infrastructure that supports our state,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “We are lucky to have tribal partners that invest this success back into their communities, providing vital services region-wide for our shared citizens.”
The study was funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) through a grant from its Tribal Business Development Program, which is a resource for the state’s tribes to achieve sustainable economies through business diversification.
“By leveraging their cultural strengths and strategic assets, they can diversify their economies, create jobs, and establish new sustainable revenue streams beyond gaming,” said Tom Durkee, director of tribal business development at the MEDC. “The MEDC welcomes the opportunity to work with the tribal communities to increase their economic diversification and, in turn, broaden the overall economic prosperity in Michigan.”
The unification of the state’s tribes to produce the 2024 impact study isn’t just significant for Michigan; it’s the first time any state has produced such a comprehensive report on the impact of non-gaming tribal economic development. And while the study was funded by the MEDC, it was a solely tribal endeavor with Waséyabek, a holding company of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, authoring and organizing the study, and aLocal.ai, a Native-owned economic development software company, collecting and analyzing the data.
aLocal.ai normalized and adjusted data from the 2019 baseline to allow for comparison in the 2024 report, showing incredible impact and growth. From the 2019 study to the 2024 study, the number of tribal business entities (TBEs) increased from 38 to 78, the total economic impact from $288 million to $1.24 billion, the number of jobs from 1,847 to 4,179, and the average wage from $45,664 to $66,977.
As the study’s title suggests, diversifying industries beyond gaming is a focus for tribal businesses and economic development groups. The number of industries represented in the studies grew from 11 in 2019 to 16 in 2024, with transportation and warehousing, healthcare and social assistance, information, and agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting joining an already robust list. A diverse group of business industries allows tribes to better align themselves with the idea of Seven Generations Thinking, which means not only using economic development as a tool to drive revenue but also to create a self-sustaining sovereignty for future generations that honors their ancestors.
“Our Tribe’s investment in non-gaming enterprises is more than just smart business, it’s a commitment to future generations,” said Ben Brenner, J.D., tribal council secretary, Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi (Gun Lake Tribe). “These businesses create real jobs, support our youth, and allow us to reinvest in our people on our terms. The impact goes far beyond the balance sheet; it’s about sovereignty, sustainability, and self-determination.”
And while it’s clear that the economies of Michigan’s tribes are rapidly growing, they’re also creating a ripple effect of commerce felt across the state. The businesses are stable pillars of their communities, with 15.3 average years of operation, up from 9.6 years in 2019, and have contributed over $135 million in total tax revenue.
“The Economic Impact Study highlights the significant contributions of non-gaming TBEs to Michigan’s economy,” said Brigitte LaPointe-Dunham, tribal CEO, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. “The study provides a comprehensive assessment of how these businesses enhance economic resilience, reduce dependency, and contribute to long-term community well-being. The findings underscore the importance of TBEs in creating new jobs, increasing household income, and strengthening local supply chains. This report is a testament to the vital role that tribal enterprises play in driving economic growth and sustainable economic development across the state.”
The 2024 study’s findings shine a light on a new era of tribal economic development in Michigan, one where non-gaming tribal businesses are building a self-determined future for themselves and a stronger economy for the state. It may also serve as inspiration for tribes beyond Michigan.
“My hope is that this report inspires more tribes to get involved in economic development,” said Deidra Mitchell, president and CEO of Waséyabek. “Results like this serve as motivation for tribes to believe that this type of success is possible — no matter where you sit on the economic development spectrum.”
To learn more, view the full 2024 Michigan Non-Gaming Tribal Economic Impact Study.