Migizi Economic Development Company

What Migizi Economic Development Company does

Migizi Economic Development Company (Migizi EDC) is a tribally chartered economic development corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, founded in 1998 and headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. The company manages the Tribe's non-gaming business portfolio across nine industries, with a stated mission to secure economic well-being for the next seven generations of tribal members. Its operations span hospitality (243-room Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel, The Retreat at Soaring Eagle luxury suites, 46-acre Hideaway RV Park), retail (Cardinal Pharmacy, two Mobil gas stations and convenience stores), real estate (Arnold J. Sowmick Sr. Plaza retail mall, Makawa Business Park, three apartment communities, single-family dwellings), agriculture (500+ acres of organic farmland across Isabella and Arenac Counties), and federal contracting (Bakinaw Federal Contracting). The company also operates a venture capital program that takes equity positions with management oversight in businesses aligned with tribal strategic goals.

Migizi EDC generates revenue through transaction-based fees across its operating subsidiaries — hotel room bookings, waterpark admissions, food and beverage, prescription sales, fuel and convenience merchandise, commercial and residential leasing, and agricultural production. Beyond direct operations, the company markets tribal partnership benefits to non-tribal businesses, including federal income tax exemptions, sovereign immunity from lawsuits, regulatory exemptions from local zoning and permitting, and access to federal tax credits (Investment Tax Credit, New Market Tax Credits up to 39%, Indian Wages and Insurance Tax Credits up to 20%). A venture capital arm deploys capital into aligned businesses with above-market return requirements and five-year payback terms.

The company is governed by an eight-member Board of Directors comprising three Tribal Council members, a Tribal Treasury designee, a Tribal Purchasing Director, a Tribal Administration designee, and two adult tribal community members. Matthew Felan was appointed CEO in 2025 after 11 years leading the Great Lakes Bay Business Alliance. Total employment is 51-100, with operations concentrated in the Great Lakes Bay Region of central Michigan. Customer segments include tourists and families (hospitality), local community members (retail/pharmacy), commercial and residential tenants (real estate), and business owners seeking tribal partnership benefits (venture capital and B2B partnerships).

Name

Migizi Economic Development Company

Legal name

Migizi Economic Development Company

Website

https://migiziedc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Migizi Economic Development Company is a tribally chartered economic development subsidiary of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, operating a diversified portfolio of hospitality, retail, real estate, agriculture, and federal contracting businesses across the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tribal Economic Development and Diversified Holdings

NAICS

Offices of Other Holding Companies (551112), Management of Companies and Enterprises (55111)

SIC

Non-Operating Establishments (9995), Real Estate Dealers (For Their Own Account) (6532), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAHADAK

Corporate Development & Portfolio Optimization

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Strategy & Corporate Finance Advisory

SECONDARYFSANAHAF

Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms

Financial & Insurance/Private Equity & Venture Capital/Corporate Venture Capital (CVC)

Keywords

• Tribal economic development
• Hospitality operations
• Commercial real estate leasing
• Residential property management
• Federal contracting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Pleasant

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hospitality and Entertainment: Operating Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel (243 rooms connected to indoor waterpark), The Retreat at Soaring Eagle (luxury suites), and Soaring Eagle Hideaway R.V. Park. Revenue generated from hotel room bookings, waterpark admissions, food and beverage, and leisure activities.
2. Retail Operations: Operating Cardinal Pharmacy (full-service pharmacy with gift items), Sagamok Express Mobil and Saganing Sagamok Express Mobil (gas stations and convenience stores). Revenue from prescription sales, merchandise, gasoline, and food service.
3. Real Estate Management: Managing commercial properties (Arnold J. Sowmick Sr. Plaza, Makawa Business Park), residential apartments and single-family dwellings, and farmland (500+ acres in organic crop production in Isabella and Arenac Counties). Revenue from commercial leasing, residential rent, and agricultural production.
4. Venture Capital Investments: Providing venture capital to businesses that meet strategic criteria aligned with Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe goals. Investments require substantial equity position with management oversight, higher than market rate returns, and at least five-year payback terms.
5. Tribal Partnership Services: Offering tribal partnerships providing sovereign government benefits including federal income tax exemptions, sovereign immunity from lawsuits, regulatory exemptions from local zoning and permitting, and federal tax credits for businesses on tribal lands.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Core offering

Migizi Economic Development Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan that operates a diversified portfolio of non-gaming businesses spanning hospitality, retail, real estate, federal contracting, and venture capital. Core revenue-generating operations include the Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel (243 rooms with attached 30,000 sq ft indoor waterpark), The Retreat at Soaring Eagle luxury suites, Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park, Cardinal Pharmacy, two Mobil gas stations and convenience stores, and Aking Holding Company which manages residential, commercial, and agricultural real estate. The company also operates Bakinaw Federal Contracting and pursues venture capital investments aligned with tribal strategic goals.

Product overview

Migizi Economic Development Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe operating a diverse portfolio of nine industries spanning hospitality, real estate, retail, and federal contracting. The portfolio includes Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel (243-room hotel with 30,000 sq ft indoor waterpark), The Retreat At Soaring Eagle (luxury suites), Soaring Eagle Hideaway (46-acre RV park), Cardinal Pharmacy, Arnold J. Sowmick Sr. Plaza (retail mall), Sagamok/Saganing Express Mobil gas stations, Aking Holding Company LLC (residential/commercial/agricultural management), Bakinaw Federal Contracting, The Hill Campground, and commercial/residential real estate properties. The company also offers venture capital investments for businesses seeking tribal partnerships with benefits including tax exemptions and regulatory advantages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel A 243-room hotel connected to a 30,000-square-foot indoor waterpark featuring two water slides, a surf simulator, lazy river, and Nbakade Family Restaurant. Targets families and tourists seeking year-round indoor entertainment and accommodations in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
• The Retreat At Soaring Eagle European-design boutique hotel with 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites featuring full kitchens, private access, and tribal art reproductions. Targets travelers seeking extended-stay luxury accommodations.
• Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park A 46-acre lakeside RV park offering concrete pads, full hook-ups, shower/laundry facilities, clubhouse, outdoor pavilion, and free shuttle service to Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Targets RV travelers and outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
• Cardinal Pharmacy Full-service pharmacy featuring two registered pharmacists, prescription services, over-the-counter remedies, and Native craft gift items including dream catchers, dance sticks, medicine wheels, and jewelry. Located at 2410 S Leaton Rd #8, Mt Pleasant, MI.
• Arnold J. Sowmick Sr. Plaza Retail strip mall completed in 2008 as the Tribe's first commercial development project planned with a projected ROI, housing Cardinal Pharmacy and other community-focused businesses with tribal benefits including tax exemptions and zoning advantages.
• Sagamok Express Mobil Full-service gas station and convenience store operating for over 20 years at the corner of Leaton Road and Broadway, adjacent to Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks.
• Saganing Sagamok Express Mobil Gas station and convenience store at the corner of M-13 and Worth Road offering Mobil gasoline, car care products, beer, wine, liquor, soft drinks, snacks, hot soups, sandwiches, and popcorn.
• Aking Holding Company LLC Residential, commercial, and agricultural management company providing affordable rental properties and environmentally responsible farmlands, adhering to the founding principles of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
• Bakinaw Federal Contracting Federal contracting business operated under tribal ownership, eligible for 8(a) preferences and HUBZone contracting benefits.
• The Hill Campground Campground facility operated as part of the Migizi EDC enterprise portfolio.
• Commercial Properties Management Management and leasing of hundreds of acres of farmland in Isabella and Arenac Counties with over 500 acres in organic crop production, plus commercial storefront space at Arnold J. Sowmick Plaza and Makawa Business Park.
• Residential Properties Management Affordable housing management including three apartment communities and single-family dwellings near Soaring Eagle Casino and Mid Michigan Community College, featuring 24-hour emergency maintenance and ample parking.
• Venture Capital Investments Venture capital opportunities leveraging Soaring Eagle properties resources, evaluating proposals against strategic goals of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe with criteria including market-rate ROI, five-year payback, significant equity position with management oversight.

Quantifiable outcome

• Federal tax credits up to 39% available for capital investments on tribal lands (Investment Tax Credit or New Market Tax Credits)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMigizi Economic Development Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. The company was created to manage the Tribe's non-gaming businesses and secure economic well-being for the next seven generations of tribal members. The tribal affiliation provides sovereign government business advantages including federal income tax exemptions, sovereign immunity, and regulatory exemptions.
• Bakinaw Federal ContractingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBakinaw Federal Contracting is listed as an enterprise under Migizi EDC. It operates as a federal contracting business leveraging tribal government preferences and 8(a) program benefits available to tribally owned businesses.
• The Hill CampgroundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hill Campground is listed as an enterprise under Migizi EDC, operating as an outdoor hospitality and camping business in the region.
• Tribal Business PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-tribal companies partnering with Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe can benefit from lower taxes, favorable zoning, reduced liability, and manageable labor laws. Partnerships offer federal and state income tax exemptions on tribal-owned portions, exemption from state/local property taxes on trust land, and access to Investment Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits, and Indian Wages Tax Credits.
• Aking Holding Company LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAking Holding Company LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Migizi EDC forging a new path in residential, commercial, and agricultural management throughout Central Michigan. Provides affordable rental properties and environmentally responsible farmlands while adhering to Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe principles.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Oneida Nation Enterprises: Holding entity of the Oneida Indian Nation operating hotels, gaming-adjacent hospitality, retail, and food service in central New York; comparable tribal diversified portfolio anchored by sovereign immunity and tax-advantaged operations.
• Chickasaw Nation Industries: Chickasaw Nation-owned holding company with diversified operations spanning government contracting, manufacturing, hospitality, and commercial real estate — directly comparable diversified tribal economic development corporation leveraging federal contracting preferences.
• Ho-Chunk, Inc. Wholly owned economic development holding company of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, operating a diversified portfolio across hospitality, construction, government contracting, and retail — directly comparable business model and tribal ownership structure to Migizi.
• Poarch Band of Creek Indians Economic Development: Tribally owned holding entity managing hospitality, real estate, and government contracting assets for the Poarch Band; comparable sovereign tribal portfolio model anchored by federal contracting and real estate.
• Mno-Bmadsen (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi): Tribally owned economic development entity of the Pokagon Band managing a portfolio of commercial, real estate, and government contracting businesses in the Midwest; comparable Midwestern tribal diversification strategy.
• San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Economic Development: Economic development arm of the San Manuel Band operating diversified commercial holdings including hospitality, real estate, and gaming-adjacent ventures; comparable sovereign tribal holding model.
• Choctaw Global (Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians): Economic development arm of the Mississippi Choctaw operating diversified government contracting, hospitality, and commercial businesses; directly comparable sovereign tribal diversification strategy leveraging federal contracting preferences.
• Seminole Tribe of Florida Holdings: Diversified tribal holding company operating hospitality (Hard Rock), real estate, and government-related businesses through Seminole Tribe ownership; comparable diversified sovereign portfolio.
• Citizen Potawatomi Nation Community Development Corporation: Tribal economic development entity of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation operating commercial real estate, hospitality, and contracting businesses in Oklahoma; comparable tribal diversification and 8(a) federal contracting focus.

Broad incumbents

• Mohegan Holdings: Sovereign tribal holding entity operating Mohegan Sun and affiliated hospitality, entertainment, and commercial ventures; comparable diversified tribal portfolio but much larger scale and more concentrated in gaming hospitality.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/migizi-economic-development

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Migizi Economic Development Company