Fortune Bay marks 40th year

TOWER—October has always been a special month for the Fortune Bay team—especially this year as the expansive facility turns 40. From its relatively humble beginnings as a high-stakes bingo hall carved out of a red pine stand in 1986, Fortune Bay has grown into one of the largest businesses and employers in the region.
It’s been an entire career for Greg Northrup, who has been at Fortune Bay since day one and he says he still loves his job. There have been challenges over the years, but the 64-year-old, who today serves as Fortune Bay’s shipping and receiving manager, has no regrets.
“If it wasn’t for Fortune Bay, I don’t know where I’d be,” said Northrup, who moved to Ely in the early 1980s but due to the economy, couldn’t find stable work. “I don’t think I would have ever stayed in the area if I didn’t start working here. It has given me a lot of opportunities that I am thankful for to this day.”
The same can be said for General Manager Elizabeth Deegan, who began her Fortune Bay career in 1996 but left for school before returning to the Bay in 2004.
“Fortune Bay has been a huge part of my life. I pretty much grew up here,” said Deegan. “I’ve worked with some people for a very long time, and I’ve watched people come and go, move into different positions, raise their families and grow up right alongside me. I’ve been here for so long, it has become more than just a job.”
During the peak summer season, Fortune Bay’s employment numbers hover around 340. Roughly a quarter of the workforce are Bois Forte Band members, descendants, or other tribal members, and that steady employment over the years has changed the face of both the Vermilion and Nett Lake reservations.
Deegan said Fortune Bay’s team members are what really make the company successful and, for the most part, a model that works well in both good times and bad.
“As coworkers, we spend a lot of time together, and just like any family, we don’t always agree on everything, but when something happens, people step up for each other,” said Deegan, who has worked in a variety of positions over the years, including restaurant hostess, director of gaming, and now the general manager. “I’ve seen that so many times over the years. I think that is what makes Fortune Bay special. It’s a family feeling here, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Director of Finance Brad Anderson agreed.
“The biggest thing that sticks out to me is the number of great people I’ve gotten the chance to work with over the years,” said Anderson, who started as a cage cashier in 1996 and continued to work as a vault clerk and in accounting until he finished his college degree. “Whenever we’ve been hit with adversity the team has really come together and picked each other up.”
Deegan said that with a company the size of Fortune Bay, there are always many moving parts coming together. She added that Fortune Bay’s team does its best to ensure guests enjoy their visit, whether it’s to the casino, dining outlets, Northstar Bar, golf course, RV Park, marina, conference center, or resort.
“There are so many little things happening every day that make a difference,” said Deegan. “At the end of the day, people can go to a lot of places. We want them to choose Fortune Bay, and I truly believe our employees are the biggest reason they come back.”
Northrup said he has enjoyed a front-row seat to Fortune Bay’s growth since he got his start working in the concession stand near the old bingo hall, before moving on to other jobs within the company and finally settling into the shipping and receiving department in 1996.
However, it was more than just the property’s expansion that resonated with Northrup.
“I have met so many wonderful people working here,” said Northrup, whose daughter eventually followed in his footsteps and joined the Fortune Bay team. “I always remember the hugs Gloria (Love) would give to a team member when they were feeling down or having a bad day. That hug was all it took.”
Fortune Bay has evolved since its inception in 1986 as a high-stakes bingo hall, adding slots and blackjack in 1991, followed by a 114-room resort in 1996. Those additions were followed by the building of a restaurant, bar, marina, RV park, and the Bois Forte Heritage Museum, which sits less than a half mile from the resort.
This was followed by the decision to create a world-class golf course known as The Wilderness at Fortune Bay in 2004. The championship course immediately became a big hit, making Fortune Bay a destination for golfers from across the tri-states and beyond. It continues to be recognized as one of the top courses in the state, which is what leaders envisioned when the concept was born.
To meet the growing demand of businesses bringing conferences to the Lake Vermilion area, not to mention accommodating play and stay packages for golfers, anglers, and snowmobilers, 58 premium rooms were added in 2007.
Most recently, Fortune Bay changed its dining offerings by introducing the Aki Bistro and Mino Grill, both of which are in their infancy and gaining traction with guests looking for a new dining option with a northwoods feel.
The additional amenities not only created a boon for area construction companies and vendors, but they also meant even more job creation for the area. The goal has always been to provide job opportunities for band members while also creating additional funding for the wide array of programming the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa offers.
“We are proud to have such an economic impact on the communities we serve,” said Fortune Bay Director of Public Relations Brian K. Anderson. “We have employees who live, work, and play in towns and cities across the Iron Range and beyond. They pay taxes, support small businesses and help schools by enrolling their children in the area schools.”
Anderson said Fortune Bay strives to make a difference through community support and appreciates the opportunity to work with local chambers and non-profits, while also cultivating strong relationships with vendors locally, regionally, and statewide.
He added that Fortune Bay also prides itself on its support for local and regional fundraisers that foster strong relationships with the likes of the Never Surrender ALS snowmobile ride, the Fun Run snowmobile ride, Safelite Walleye Classics, Take a Kid Fishing, and the Take a Vet Fishing events as well.
“Hosting these events also shines the spotlight on the Lake Vermilion area and all that it offers,” said Anderson, who also serves as vice president of the LVRA. “We are a strong supporter of the Lake Vermilion Resort Association and are proud to continue that relationship, which allowed us to play host to two very successful Governor Fishing Openers in 2005 and 2015.”
As October unfolds, Deegan and the rest of the Fortune Bay team will certainly be spending time thanking guests for their support over the years. There are plenty of great anniversary events scheduled, but Deegan said the big one will be the ever-popular Guest Appreciation event, which takes place in The Woodlands Ballroom on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today without our loyal guests and our surrounding communities,” said Deegan of the event, which will include fun and games, plus a walleye and chicken dinner. “So, I really want to say thank you on behalf of our team—thank you for continuing to support Fortune Bay—for choosing to spend your time with us and for continuing to come back.”