The Forest County Potawatomi Tribe said Thursday it will be the largest construction project ever in Forest County and create 100 new jobs as it begins work on a $20 million casino expansion.
"This is an exciting day for Potawatomi and Forest County," said tribal chief Harold "Goose" Frank at a traditional ground blessing ceremony.
Tribal spokesman Ken Walsh said plans for a $240 million expansion of the Milwaukee casino were pending due to legal issues over Wisconsin's game coverage and uncertainty over its contract with the state.
Frank said the northern Wisconsin project will provide 150 construction jobs and $8 million in pay in the short term, increasing tourism in the region over the years.
The new Northern Lights casino will include a new poker room and sports bar and lounge, a larger bingo hall, and more space for slot machines and food services, he said. It will be connected to Potawatomi Indian Springs Lodge next to a new 60-space recreational vehicle campground.
Walsh said the new casino will offer about 500 slot machines and 16 tables for blackjacks, roulette and crab.
He said the current casino, which was built 14 years ago as a temporary pillar building for bingo, has about 425 slot machines and is old in use. It will be demolished to make way for a parking lot.
The casino's general manager, Cheryl Wauabe, said the new timber and brick facilities will be bigger and will provide a better gaming and entertainment experience for the 400,000 people who visit the casino annually.
The casino now employs about 250 people, Frank said. The new facility will employ 100 hotel and casino workers. Construction is expected to take about a year.
Walsh said the Milwaukee project is still in limbo.
Last year, the state Supreme Court ruled that when Gov. Jim Doyle signed a permanent contract with Potawatomi, he went beyond his powers, including allowing more games like crab, poker and roulette in exchange for paying the state much more.
Whether the shortage will pay the state $44 million by June 30 is still up in the air, Walsh said Thursday. 파워볼사이트
"There is no new agreement yet. We are in discussions with the country right now," he said. "Both parties hope to see a new revision of the agreement by then."
The tribe paid $40.5 million a year ago for what Walsh called evidence of the tribe's "goodwill and commitment" despite legal uncertainty.