In Wisconsin, the Menominee Tribe recently announced it will try again to open a casino in Kenosha, partnering with Hard Rock International. A 2015 plan was approved by the city and county of Kenosha but was rejected by then-Governor Scott Walker.
Tribal Chairman Ronald Corn Sr. said, “Nothing new, except hoping that the outcome will be new. We would be the best neighbor that we could be to the city and county. What we believe is good for the Menominee, we believe is good for the city of Kenosha, we believe is good for the county of Kenosha and then ultimately the state of Wisconsin.”
Kenosha City Councilman Dominic Ruffalo said he supports the Menominee tribe’s efforts to build a casino.
He said, “At this point I approve of it, yes. I think it will be smaller than the original casino they were going to build here, but I don’t have any problems with it coming into my district at all. The people who don’t support it are more verbal than the people who support it. I think it’s a great location and Hard Rock is a first-class operation and they are teaming up with the Menominee because Menominee is a Wisconsin tribe. The city will be negotiating with the Menominee like they did before.”
Ruffalo said that about 80 percent of the people he’s spoken to in his district are in favor of the casino and believe fears of increased crime are unwarranted.
“Very seldom do I frequent casinos myself, but if somebody else wants to go, that’s fine with me. I want to see Kenosha as more of a destination and not just a pass-through. There’s plenty of area there to expand. I was happy when I heard about it. As it sits right now, I don’t have a problem with it whatsoever. In fact, I’m looking forward to it.”
Ruffalo said he wants to make sure the city “gets something out of it.” He noted there still are “a lot of hoops to go through before a shovel is put in the ground.”
County Supervisor John Franco offered a different opinion about the proposed casino. He said, “I have mixed feelings with the potential of a casino development in Kenosha County’s District 13. Certainly, a casino would bring in revenue and create jobs. However, I have many concerns with the venture as a whole,” such as increased traffic congestion, added strain on local public resources and negative impact property values.
Franco added, “In short, District 13 is a thriving business and residential area that, in my opinion, does not need a casino. I fear that the numerous negative consequences of a casino will overshadow the possible benefits. Ultimately, I believe local governments need to be cautious when chasing after potential revenue.”
According to a spokesperson, Governor Tony Evers’ office hasn’t as yet offered any opinion on bringing a Hard Rock casino to Kenosha. The spokesperson said the governor would give “due consideration” to any proposals from the Menominee tribe and Hard Rock International. The spokesperson stated, “The announcement by the Menominee and Hard Rock is just the first step in a long process. If a Kenosha casino proposal eventually makes its way to the governor’s desk, he would not make a decision until he had consulted with the local communities affected and the relevant Native American tribes.”
