Summary
- The project will be a destination entertainment center and casino in Kenosha.
- The tribe would own the casino facility while Hard Rock acts as developer and manager.
- Proceeds from the venue would go toward helping the needs of tribe members.
A new casino will be coming to Kenosha, Wisconsin if the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin has anything to say about it. On July 20, the tribe announced a partnership with Hard Rock International will renew casino efforts. The goal is to create a destination entertainment center and casino with Menominee owning the property. Hard Rock would act as the developer and manager of the casino.
COO of Hard Rock International, Jon Lucas, commented on the agreement, stating that the company has a long-standing partnership with the Menominee Tribe. The company is proud to support the tribe with its continued effort to bring a Wisconsin casino and entertainment resort to the community of Kenosha.
Ronald J. Corn, Sr., the Chairman of the Menominee Tribe, stated that the revived casino effort has an end goal of providing the necessary resources that will help with the needs of the tribe. Kenosha city and county officials, as well as the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of the Interior, approved a previous Hard Rock property. However, Governor Walker decided to reject the plan in 2015 as he was vying for the presidency.
A Different Plan This Time Around
Since the 2015 effort, the tribe has changed a few elements of its project plans. One change includes the size of the casino. It will be cut back from the original scale to reflect the gambling venues that are offered in the state as well as nearby Illinois.
While the project will not be as large, it would still bring jobs and provide a substantial difference to the community. The Hard Rock brand will remain and will provide economic benefits to the local community and the state.
Corn. Sr. pointed out that while the casino project plans may be different, the needs of the tribe remain the same and, in some instances, have become more acute. More investments are needed when it comes to healthcare for children and elders as well as more investment into the education of young people.
The tribe would like to work on reducing the high level of poverty, unemployment, and hunger on the reservation. A casino and entertainment center are an ideal option for Kenosha to help provide the resources to achieve their many goals.
The new casino plan has changed location so this will require a revised federal gaming application and new agreements with government organizations.
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