Casino Stalker

City weighs resolution to support Pokagon Band casino in Indiana

Thursday, April 9, 2015

This image shows Alternative A for the land-into-trust site in South Bend, Indiana. No plans have been approved as of yet. Image from Pokagon EIS

The city council in South Bend, Indiana, is considering a resolution that would support a casino proposed by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.

The tribe included a casino, hotel and other development in a land-into-trust application submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. A public meeting will be held next Tuesday to discuss the environmental impact statement for the project.

The night before, the council might vote on the resolution, according to news reports. The council member whose district includes the casino site welcomes the tribe.

“In this state of Indiana we've had enough of people saying you're not welcome here,” said Oliver Davis, WNDU reported, in reference to controversy over a new religious freedom law. “I think this is a win-win for our business community, for our family community, for the 6th district and for the city of South Bend.”

Indiana is home to riverboat casinos, land-based casinos and racinos. The Pokagon Band casino would be the first tribal facility in the state.

The tribe already operates three casinos in neighboring Michigan. But many of its members live in the South Bend area and the land-into-trust application includes housing, a health clinic and governmental offices to serve their needs.

Get the Story:
South Bend Council to consider resolution regarding possible casino (WSBT 4/8)
South Bend tribal casino plan backed by district council member (WNDU 4/8)
South Bend Tribal Village Project Supported by 6th District Council Member (Casino News Daily 4/9)

Federal Register Notices:
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Fee-to-Trust Transfer for Tribal Village and Casino, City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana (March 12, 2015)
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Pokagon Band Tribal Village Fee-to-Trust Acquisition and Casino Project in the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN (August 24, 2012)