BARAGA — It could be a big couple of year for Ojibwa Casinos in both Baraga and Marquette.

General Manager of Ojibwa Casinos, Dan Wren said “We’re really excited, we have a $40 million dollar project that’s about to happen and take place in both of our properties.”

$33.5 million is going to the Marquette location and the other $6.5 million will be going to the Baraga casino. In Marquette, Wren says they will be adding a hotel, three new restaurants as well as space for conferences and an arena.

“We’re going to expand the casino. Currently the casino has 280 games and we’re going to take that to 500.”

In Baraga, they plan on improving ventilations, heating and water systems.

“We’re going to do an infrastructure project here at Baraga,” Wren said, “we’re going to redo the high-vac system; a lot of people have issues with the smoke.”

Wren said this is largest investment the tribe has made and their hoping to change their business model to make them more competitive.

Wren said that “It’s just a great opportunity to expand what we’re doing, gain market share and really a full entertainment opportunity.”

The ground-breaking for both facilities will be in December of this year and they hope to have both locations open in 2018.

Wren said, “I think it’s a great opportunity for the tribe and the community both here in Baraga and in Marquette”