Greg Sarris, the chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, has stayed away from the media but recently went on KQED radio to discuss his tribe's casino plans.

Sarris said construction of the casino will generate 900 jobs. A date for groundbreaking hasn't been set but Station Casinos, the tribe's partner, hopes to start work this summer.

Sarris said the casino itself will create more than 2,000 permanent jobs. The facility is expected to generate $75 million a year in economic benefits for the region.

The tribe has an agreement with the city of Rohnert Park to share an estimated $200 million in gaming revenues over 20 years.

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