The Menominee Indian Tribe proposal for a Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha took another step forward after the Bureau of Indian Affairs released the Draft Environmental Assessment.
The assessment analyzes the potential environmental effects of acquiring land in Kenosha for the Menominee Indian Tribe and their proposed development of the property as a casino-hotel, offering class III gaming pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The city of Kenosha and Kenosha County have approved agreements supporting the project.
Menominee Tribal Chairman Joey Awonohopay said, “This is a long-awaited opportunity, and we are excited to have arrived at the next phase in this process. This project will deliver significant, local economic impact, create more than 1,000 permanent jobs in the final phase of the project, and support families and businesses across the region. The project’s benefits will directly benefit the members of our Tribe, as we address urgent needs in health care, infrastructure, and education. This brings us all one step closer to a stronger future, and we are grateful for such strong local support for this transformative project.”
In addition to environmental effects, the assessment examined socioeconomic and economic considerations associated with the proposed project. The analysis concludes that the Kenosha project would generate substantial economic benefits, including significant employment during construction and permanent jobs during operations, and that the effects would be beneficial to Kenosha County and the surrounding region. The EA further determined that the proposed development is not expected to result in significant adverse economic impacts and that overall economic effects associated with the project would be positive when considering employment, income generation, and related economic activity
“The Kenosha casino approval process has moved to the next phase with the Bureau of Indian Affairs officially publishing the Environmental Assessment for public comment, offering an opportunity for input and transparency. This approval process is decades in the making, and the people of Kenosha have consistently supported the project. I’ve followed and supported the project for years. I encourage citizens to continue to make their voices heard throughout the comment period,” said Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman.
“This project has been a long time coming for Kenosha, and it’s exciting to see it move closer to reality,” said Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala. “The Hard Rock development brings new growth to Kenosha – creating jobs, attracting investment, and strengthening our community – and we are ready for it. This is a project that’s good for Kenosha, good for the region, and good for the State of Wisconsin.”
