The Cowlitz Tribe held its 16th annual powwow in September 2015. Photo from Facebook
The Cowlitz Tribe has closed on financing for its long-delayed casino in Washington. The tribe will build the $550 million Cowlitz Casino and Entertainment Resort on its 152-acre reservation in Clark County. The project took a big step forward when the Bureau of Indian Affairs placed the land in trust in March after years of litigation. The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut is the partner on the project. The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority announced the financing deal on Monday.
Artist's rendering of the proposed Cowlitz Casino and Entertainment Resort. Image from Cowlitz Indian Tribe Environmental Impact Statement
"This is a monumental step both for the Cowlitz Tribe and for the authority as developer and manager, as we can now proceed with the development of what we believe will be the finest and most successful resort in the Pacific Northwest, which is expected to be open to the public in mid-2017," Robert J. Soper, the president and chief executive officer of the authority, said in a press release. Construction is expected to begin in early 2016. Opponents -- including a tribe in neighboring Oregon with an existing casino -- are still hoping to stop the project in federal court. Get the Story:
Cowlitz Tribe secures financing for casino near La Center (The Columbian 12/9)
Cowlitz Tribe closes on casino construction financing (The Battle Ground Reflector 12/9)
Cowlitz Get Financing To Build SW Washington Casino (Oregon Public Broadcasting 12/8)
Cowlitz tribe gets financing for La Center area casino/resort (The Longview Daily News 12/8) Federal Register Notices:
Proclaiming Certain Lands as Reservation for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe (November 13, 2015)
Land Acquisitions; Cowlitz Indian Tribe (May 8, 2013) DOI Solicitor Opinion:
M-37029: The Meaning of "Under Federal Jurisdiction" for Purposes of the Indian Reorganization Act (March 12, 2014)
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Cowlitz Tribe celebrates as BIA finally puts gaming site in trust (3/10)
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