The Bureau of Indian Affairs recently released its draft environmental impact statement for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians’ proposed 165-acre casino site in South Bend, Indiana. The BIA determined that the South Bend site had the potential to generate up to 0.4 million a year for the tribe, compared to 4.2 million at an alternate Elkhart County site.
The BIA will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed$480 million casino on April 14. Pokagon Band spokesman David Gutierrez said, “The draft environmental impact statement may indicate that the preferred alternative at the South Bend site best meets the Pokagon Band’s purpose and need. But no decision has been made at the time, which is why the BIA is soliciting comments from the public.”
The Pokagon Band said the development would include a gaming floor with 3,000 slot machines, plus a 500-room, 18-story hotel. It would attract 4.2 million visitors a year and create 2,000 casino and 1,470 construction jobs. About 350 new homes would be needed to house the new workers.
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg said, “Job number one in the city of South Bend right now is still creating jobs, so anything that has the promise of creating more jobs for people living in South Bend is something we’ve got to take a good look at.”
On the downside, the draft environmental impact study said South Bend would lose $36,000 a year in revenue because the tribe does not pay property taxes. Also, the facility could strain the city’s water and sewer systems.
“So sometimes the devil is in the details. We’ll need to work through that, but I do have high hopes that it will be possible to move forward in the context of an agreement that benefits everyone in the community,” said Buttigieg.
A pro-casino group, the Michiana Pokagon Alliance, has launched a Facebook page that has gathered more than 1,100 likes and listed a board of directors made up of business and community leaders.
An opposition group, citizens for a Better Michiana, is led by Jake Teshka, former executive director of the St. Joseph County Republican party. “We’re a grass-roots movement that’s growing. We’ve definitely seen an increase in interest. This casino would have a ripple effect on the entire area, whether it’s South Bend or Elkhart,” he said.
Pokagon Chairman John P. Warren noted, “This is an important first step in a lengthy process that began over two years ago and we are very pleased to have reached this significant milestone. Although we were required to state all foreseeable development for the proposed trust land, the Pokagon Band will pursue development that will best serve our citizens and the larger community. We appreciate the continued support from the Michiana community as we continue this process.”
