Washoe Tribe partners with Poarch Creeks for gaming project

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Members of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Photo from Clearinghouse CDFI

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The Washoe Tribe and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians are working together on a gaming project.

The Washoe Tribe broke ground on a $11.78 million travel plaza on its reservation in Nevada. The 6,000 square-facility includes a convenience store and gas station that's expected to open sometime next year.

Another component involves a small casino. According to the Washoe Tribe's April 2015 newsletter, the Alabama-based Poarch Band will build and operate the facility at its own expense.

Artist's rendering of the casino portion of the Washoe Travel Plaza. Plans have not been finalized. Image from Washoe Tribe
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The Poarch Creeks will pay "rent and taxes" to the Washoe Tribe, the newsletter states. A more detailed memo, from February, indicates the gaming portion could cost $8 million.

"Washoe has the option at any time to purchase the casino but is projected to take possession of it in 17 years if the purchase option has not been executed before then," the memo states.

Plans for the gaming portion have not been finalized. It could include 300 machines, according to the memo.

The Washoe Travel Plaza will be constructed with a combination of federal and state funds, along with a loan. Clearinghouse CDFI helped secure financing.

Get the Story:
Tribe starts work on travel plaza south of town (The Washoe Record-Courier 5/12)