Public hearings set for two off-reservation casinos in Midwest

Monday, December 10, 2018  

The Midwest regional office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs is busy this week with public meetings on two off-reservation casinos.

The first meeting takes place on Tuesday in Beloit, Wisconsin. That's where the Ho-Chunk Nation is planning a $405 million development.

The second meeting is being held on Wednesday in Fruitport, Michigan. The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians is planning an $180 million casino there.

Both tribes are pursuing the projects under the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The law requires approval from their respective state governments, in addition to the BIA.

The Midwest region is home to two such casinos. The first-ever project approved under the two-part determination process was for the Forest County Potawatomi Community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1990.

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community later secured approval for a two-part determination casino near Marquette, Michigan.

Public input on casino plan sought (The Beloit Daily News December 7, 2018)
Beloit city officials eager to get started on casino; public hearing set for Dec. 11 (Madison365 December 7, 2018)
Public hearing set for Muskegon County casino (WZZM November 28, 2018)