In Wisconsin, the Menominee Indian Tribe recently announced it will once again attempt to open a casino and entertainment complex in Kenosha, with Hard Rock International (HRI) serving as developer and manager.
HRI Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas said, “Hard Rock has a longstanding partnership with the Menominee Tribe and is proud to support them in their continued efforts to bring a world-class gaming and entertainment resort to the Kenosha community.”
HRI previously planned to partner with the Menominee tribe to develop an $800 million casino hotel at the site of the former Dairyland Greyhound Park in Kenosha. The plan was approved by the city of Kenosha and Kenosha County but was rejected by then-Governor Scott Walker in 2015.
The acreage for the current proposal is located about one mile from the Dairyland site. Since it’s a different location, Menominee Chairman Ronald Corn Sr. said the tribe will have to submit a revised application to the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and negotiate a new gaming compact.
Corn said a Kenosha casino could help provide resources for the ongoing and growing needs of the tribe, one of the largest and poorest in Wisconsin. He stated, “We need to make greater investments into health care for our children and elders. We need to make more investments into educating our young people. And we need to do more to reduce the high levels of poverty, hunger and unemployment on our reservation.”
