White Earth Nation proposes casino-resort-convention center east of Moorhead
MOORHEAD Minn Leaders from the White Earth Nation unveiled a proposal to build a casino resort and convention center on acres of land east of Moorhead in Clay County During the Clay County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday representatives from the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe discussed ideas for a resort-casino complex near the intersection of Interstate and Highway The tribe purchased the land late last year White Earth Tribal Chairman Michael Fairbanks noted the tribal nation unfailingly strives for transparency with its business projects on and off the White Earth reservation acknowledging the need for surrounding communities to advocacy the proposed project We know that we have to work and that we have to you know get the promotion from the society he explained The White Earth Nation is seeking a letter of assistance from Clay County for its land trust application Designating the land as trust land would give the federal cabinet the title to the land holding it for the benefit of the tribe or tribal members according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs In turn that would allow the tribe to build a casino on the site away from reservation land Designating the property as trust land exempts the land from taxes At present the White Earth Nation pays per year in property taxes on the land according to White Earth Nation Land Acquisition Manager Jake Syverson The Clay County Board did not take action on the request Tuesday Nate Mathews executive director of the White Earth Nation Tribal Utility Commission unveiled a high-level overview of the tribal nation s vision for the land The complex would combine gaming lodging dining and entertainment under one roof The casino would have an attached hotel and convention center plus fast food and fine dining options The proposal also includes a truck stop and convenience center The complex would create to jobs with a minimum wage of per hour Mathews explained This is what really gets us excited as a tribe when we look at investing to lift our members but also the region and our business sector around us he explained Commissioner David Ebinger noted that the property borders an aquifer and questioned about plans to preserve it as it gains sewer and water function and builds a truck stop I think it s critical right up front that we be clear that that aquifer is a primary object that we want to preserve he noted With a facility of this size it would be challenging to provide operation with a well and septic field Mathews disclosed instead suggesting there should be water and sewer lines to the area from nearby Moorhead Commissioner Jenny Mongeau mentioned the convention center would be an economic draw to Clay County City and business leaders in Fargo are also discussing a new convention center For once we re having a discussion that maybe trumps conversations on the North Dakota side about convention space and how great that we have something over here proposed she explained The board also heard comments from members of the inhabitants on the proposal Six people spoke about the proposal sharing concerns with the aquifer the land not being taxed probable strain on local law enforcement and social services and its effect on charitable gaming Glyndon Township Supervisor John Winter called on the White Earth Nation to conduct an environmental examination and an economic impact evaluation for the project He also called for a research of how crime rates have changed in Mahnomen County since the White Earth Nation opened its Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen I know you want to develop in our financial market but we do have particular concerns and hopefully we can come up with a resolution he mentioned The White Earth Nation plans to bring its proposal to the Moorhead and Dilworth city councils on April The proposed casino is not the White Earth Nation s only business venture in the area The tribe has plans to open an adult-use cannabis dispensary in the former JL Beers building in Moorhead Highway While the dispensary was expected to open in March it has still not opened White Earth Nation marketing communications director Romyn Hanks endorsed He was unsure of an opening date for the business Related Articles First saltie arrives in Duluth-Superior port as shipping season begins Walz to deliver State of the State address on Wednesday night MN state employee arrested for Tesla vandalism will not be charged Ex-Minnesota state senator pleads not guilty to attempted enticement of a minor US Supreme Court won t revive a Minnesota ban on gun-carry permits for young adults
