Opinion: Menominee Nation off-reservation casino brings jobs



Writer supports an off-reservation casino for the Menominee Nation but doesn't think there is a good chance it will get built:
Now, the U.S. Department of the Interior has given the Menominee tribe the go-ahead to acquire the Dairyland property in Kenosha and open a casino. Estimates are that a new casino would result in approximately 3300 permanent jobs, 1400 construction jobs and almost 2000 additional jobs in the immediate Kenosha area.

So, why wouldn't Governor Walker - who now is the ultimate decision maker - say "yes" to the proposal? Good question!

The major roadblock to a casino in Kenosha is the Forest County Potawatomi tribe which operates an extremely successful casino in Milwaukee. Since the general rule is that gamblers don't drive past one casino to get to another, the Potawatomi are concerned that a casino in Kenosha will siphon off a portion of their $360-plus million in yearly gambling revenue.

This may, to a point, be a valid concern. At the same time, who cares?

Get the Story:
Jeff Wagner: Build It - And Jobs Will Come (620WTMJ 9/2)

Also Today:
Tribes in high-stakes battle over Kenosha casino (The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 9/1)
Tribes clash over Kenosha casino proposal (AP 9/2)

Related Stories
Craig Corn: Menominee Nation boosts economy with casino (8/29)
Ho-Chunk Nation won't support rival off-reservation casino (08/29)
Republicans back Menominee Nation off-reservation casino (08/29)

Join the Conversation