GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Three Michigan tribal development firms have teamed up to form a real estate development, construction and property management firm that officials say is the first of its kind in the Midwest.
Aki Construction LLC was created by the leaders of Petoskey-based Odawa Economic Affairs Holding Corporation, Dowagiac-based Mno-Bmadsen, and Grand Rapids-based Gun Lake Investments.
The construction firm will help the tribes expand their economic development efforts in their respective communities and create new co-investment opportunities.
Together, our goal is to be a leader with Tribal-driven construction projects within the Midwest and across the country,” Shanna Shananaquet, executive director of Odawa Holdings, said in a statement. “We look forward to watching this unique platform grow with the collaborative mindset of family, culture and tradition.”
She said the firm will pursue tribal and non-tribal projects.
“We’re really excited about,” Shananaquet said. “Three minds are just better than one.”
Aki (pronounced “uh-ki”) means “earth, land, ground” in Ojibwe.
“It is an honor for us to be able to work alongside leaders at GLI and Odawa Holdings on this venture and set the tone and process for additional co-investment opportunities,” Julio Martinez, CEO of Mno-Bmadsen, said in a statement.
“Our vision is to continue to uplift one another’s Tribes by capturing the synergistic results of this collaboration. We expect this joint venture to expand on the very important work we do to grow our Tribe’s economic development investments for the benefit of future generations.”
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