Recently city and state officials from Beloit, Wisconsin met with staff at the Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding allowing the Ho-Chunk Nation to move forward with a Class III casino, hotel and conference center in Beloit. An environmental impact study has been completed on the 38-acre site.
Last winter, city and state officials confirmed the project would not be slowed down by the new Trump administration. At the recent meeting, officials were told the BIA will make a determination on the project within two years. If the ruling is favorable, the BIA would issue a notice of availability in the federal register, calling for a public hearing on the project in Beloit.
Governor Scott Walker would make the final decision. Walker denied the Menominee Tribe’s proposal for a casino in Kenosha, but the Ho-Chunk’s compact allows an additional site. Walker has not indicated how he would handle a Beloit casino.
Beloit City Council President Kevin Leavy said, “The decision makers at the BIA have told us the application will be moving forward in the process toward a final decision. We don’t know what a final decision will be, but at least we now know that review of the application will continue and we feel we made significant progress.” Beloit City Manager Lori Curtis Luther added, “I am thrilled to see the project moving forward. We need to see these jobs and economic growth in Beloit as soon as possible.”
Those involved in the casino proposal believe the BIA will support Ho-Chunk’s application based on strong support in the city and because the facility would provide 2,000 jobs in an area with high unemployment and poverty.
Ho-Chunk Nation District IV Legislator Shelby Visintin said, “This facility will help the Nation provide desperately needed services for our tribal members. Area tribal members will also be employed at the new facility and the revenues will allow us to expand educational opportunities, housing, health care services and nutritional programs for our members.”
If the casino becomes reality, Ho-Chunk will pay Beloit two percent of the net win proceeds, with 30 percent of that amount going to Rock County. Operating on designated tribal land, Ho-Chunk would not pay property taxes on the proposed casino.
