About 200 people attended a public hearing on plans by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
Indians to open a casino in Indiana.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs heard from both sides of the debate, according to news reports. Supporters touted the jobs that would come with the tribe's $400 million development in South Bend while others expressed concerns about social problems, including crime.
The comments will be taken into account as the BIA continues work on the environmental impact
statement for the project. The next step in the process would be a final EIS but there is no timeline for action.
The tribe already operates three casinos in neighboring Michigan. An Indian gaming facility would be a first in Indiana.
Get the Story:
Opinions split on proposed South Bend casino project
(The South Bend Tribune 4/15)
A casino and tribal village in South Bend: citizens weigh in
(WSBT 4/15)
Bureau of Indian Affairs holds public forum on proposed South Bend casino
(WNDU 4/15)
$P Federal Register Notices:
Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
Indians Fee-to-Trust Transfer for Tribal Village and Casino, City of South Bend,
St. Joseph County, Indiana (March 12, 2015)
Notice
of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Pokagon
Band Tribal Village Fee-to-Trust Acquisition and Casino Project in the City of
South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN (August 24, 2012)
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