The Beloit, Wisconsin city council recently approved a three-year extension of the intergovernmental agreement between the city, Rock County and the Ho-Chunk Nation for a casino in Beloit. The U.S. Department of Interior still is considering the tribe’s application. City Manager Larry Arft said, “As so often has happened in the past with casino-related agreements, we need an extension. The Nation has still not received the final approval on their project. Sometime in the not so distant future, we’ll get an answer.”
Ho-Chunk President Jon Greendeer added, “Given the level of support the city and the county and the Stateline region has given to this, we’re looking for a fluid approval.
The city council passed the original IGA in March 2012, allowing the tribe to build a casino, hotel and other facilities on 30-plus acres near Colley and Willowbrook roads. In 2013, the tribe purchased an additional 33 acres from the city for parking and other casino support facilities.
The Ho-Chunk Nation’s compact with Wisconsin allows them to build another casino in the state. The tribe currently operates casinos in Black River Falls, Madison, Nekoosa, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells and Wittenberg.
