Potawatomi Hotel & Casino gives back to the local community as it grows

Anyone who’s visited Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee might be surprised to hear about the organization’s humble beginnings.

Nearly 30 years ago, it opened as a simple bingo hall in the largely forgotten Menomonee Valley. Today, the property welcomes more than 6 million visitors annually as one of the largest tribally owned casinos in the United States.

“Our tribal leadership had a great vision that has put us on a path of growth and success,” said Rodney Ferguson, CEO and General Manager of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino.  

That exponential growth includes a wide variety of entertainment options for the local community. Potawatomi Hotel & Casino offers not just casino games, but also live performances and award-winning dining options including a steakhouse, an Italian restaurant, an international buffet and a sports bar and grill. The newest place to eat, the lobby’s Canal Street Café, features classic American dishes.

Over nearly three decades of expansion, the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino has become a place with something for everyone. The organization’s leadership has also made clear that as their business continues to thrive, they want the Milwaukee community to thrive too.

With this in mind, the company has been active in efforts to give back to the community, from sponsoring the Milwaukee Streetcar, known to locals as “The Hop,” to donating more than $19 million to local children’s charities through their Heart of Canal Street program.

“Giving back to the community is something this business and our tribe places a priority on,” said Ferguson. “What’s good for Milwaukee and the region is good for our business.”

In the upcoming weeks, Heart of Canal Street will once again receive and review applications from local children’s nonprofits hoping to partner with the program. Potawatomi Hotel & Casino will select one applicant to feature as its 2019 Charity of Choice.

The Charity of Choice will receive a $100,000 donation, and Heart of Canal Street will distribute the remaining funds equally among an additional 30 charities. Last year, the winning charity was Pathfinders, a group that used the funds to provide support for victims of sex trafficking.

“We’re thrilled to help organizations that make an extraordinary impact in the Milwaukee area,” said Ryan Amundson, Public Relations Manager at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. “Our Heart of Canal Street campaign is focused on helping the most vulnerable in our community – youth in need of a strong foundation. Setting our children up for success is an important value of the Forest County Potawatomi.”

Potawatomi Hotel & Casino’s commitment to local charities demonstrates that while many of its visitors come from out of town, the organization prioritizes its connection to the Milwaukee community.

It is members of that community, after all, who support and staff the company’s operations. Potawatomi Hotel & Casino employs more than 2,600 individuals from Southeastern Wisconsin. Though large in total number, the staff maintain a close-knit and supportive environment.

Employees also enjoy a lot of personal interaction, whether it’s with their own teammates or visitors to the property. From restaurant servers bringing customers their meals to cashiers exchanging chips and vouchers for cash from “the cage,” many workers find that customers are eager to chat or share a joke.

“In addition to working in an exciting atmosphere, we pride ourselves in offering competitive wages, phenomenal benefits, an onsite gym and health clinic and much more,” said Ferguson.  

For those who benefit from Potawatomi Hotel & Casino’s growth, there’s good news for the future: that growth will continue in 2019 with the construction of a second hotel tower.

The addition will not only add 119 modern rooms but will also include bonuses like meeting space and a new spa/salon. With so much energy and attention being devoted to expanding its offerings, one thing is certain: Potawatomi Hotel & Casino’s future success is a sure bet.

This story is provided and presented by our sponsor: Potawatomi Hotel & Casino