Collin Price aims to expand tribal real estate development across Wisconsin

Collin Price, a Ho-Chunk Nation member, is positioning his firm Revel49 as a commercial real estate developer specializing in tribal lands. The company seeks to create economic opportunities for Indigenous communities by managing projects that range from affordable housing to large-scale casino resorts. Price argues that tribal nations possess the capital and expertise to drive development, but often lack the specific real estate knowledge required to execute large projects independently.

Price’s path to real estate began in law enforcement. After playing college football at UW-Whitewater, he served as a Wisconsin state trooper for five years. He worked on drug interdiction and investigations in Hudson, Madison, and Racine County. He left the force to become a public-relations officer for the Ho-Chunk Nation, a role that placed him in contact with tribal leaders and state officials.

His perspective shifted during a major renovation phase for the tribe’s casino properties in 2015. While overseeing communications, Price observed the construction of a new hotel in Black River Falls and work at facilities in Wisconsin Dells and Wittenberg. He spent time on construction sites, reviewing feasibility studies and market analyses. This exposure led him to pursue a master’s degree in real estate development at Georgetown University.

Price launched Revel49 to apply that education to tribal projects. The firm partners with tribal nations, tribal corporations, and municipalities. Price noted that fewer than five Indigenous real estate developers operate nationally. He stated that developing on tribal land presents unique challenges because developers often do not hold fee simple ownership of the land. Revel49 treats these constraints as opportunities to build according to tribal preferences and cultural needs.

The company’s first major project was a 40-unit low-income housing development in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Price initiated this project while completing his graduate studies. The $14 million development used Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and marked the Ho-Chunk Nation’s first such venture. It took approximately two and a half years to deliver.

Currently, Price is involved in a $700 million casino resort in Beloit. He joined the project team in 2012 and has managed aspects of the development alongside his academic work. The resort is nearing completion. Revel49 is also working on a proposed community center for the Ho-Chunk Nation on South Howell Avenue in Milwaukee’s South Side. The facility will house youth services and other tribal programs.

Price emphasized the importance of understanding tribal sovereignty in the development process. He said that state agencies like the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority must recognize that tribal lands have their own laws and building codes. This distinction affects how projects are structured and approved.

The firm has projects starting in the Southwest and locally in Wisconsin. Price said the goal is to provide tribal communities with the confidence and knowledge to control their own economic future. By combining tribal capital with professional development management, Revel49 aims to create a model for future Indigenous-led construction.

Price described his motivation as a desire to see tribal people involved in major development decisions. He wants to move beyond the traditional casino model to include commercial buildings and market-rate apartments. He noted that not every Indigenous person is low-income, and development should reflect that diversity in needs and income levels.

The company is part of a small network of Indigenous developers who collaborate on projects and share resources. Price said the group meets at conferences and communicates regularly. He believes their work demonstrates that development looks different to different people and that tribal nations are capable of executing complex real estate projects with the same rigor as mainstream firms.