Kenosha Casino Not A Done Deal But Jobseekers Still Sought
KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker still hasn't decided whether to approve a proposed off-reservation casino in Kenosha, but that hasn't stopped the team leading the project from launching a website for prospective job seekers.
The Menominee Nation and Hard Rock said Friday that they created the website to prepare for the "likelihood of approval."
"While negotiations continue on the proposed project, the Menominee and Hard Rock project team believe it is necessary to begin preparations for a gubernatorial approval," the tribe and Hard Rock said in a statement. "Eventually, up to 3,000 new associates could be employed at the Kenosha facility; therefore, business steps are being taken to prepare for the facility opening."
Visitors to the website can register and learn about opportunities in areas such as hotel and casino management, food service and security.
Walker has until Feb. 19 to make a decision on the casino. The Forest County Potawatomi are pushing him to quash it because they fear it would cut into their Milwaukee profits.
The $800 million casino and hotel complex would be built at the former Dairyland Greyhound Park. The casino team says the project would create 10,000 new jobs and involve $1.6 billion in construction investment.
The governor has said his team is working to make sure a Kenosha casino wouldn't violate compacts with other states.
The Potawatomi's current compact with the state requires the state to reimburse the tribe for any losses suffered due to a Kenosha casino. The tribe also maintains that the compact requires the state to refund previous annual payments if the governor approves the new facility.
Walker's office maintains that the state could end up owing the Potawatomi as much as $100 million.
The Potawatomi were due to pay the state its annual $25 million payment by June 30. Instead the tribe placed the money in a reserve account, saying it was concerned the state wouldn't follow through on the refund.
Walker's administration said last month the tribe could lose about 2,000 electronic slot machines at its Milwaukee casino if it continued to withhold the payment.
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