SHULLSBURG - The public got its first look at artists' renderings of a Shullsburg casino resort complex and its layout Monday, April 22 at Shullsburg high school gym.
About 200 people gathered for a presentation hosted by the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians to update area residents and officials on the status of the tribe's land trust application for the new facility.
The tribe's most optimistic estimate for construction to begin is at least 18 to 24 months.
The long process is "complicated with many layers," cautioned Duane Chapman, project manager for the tribe.
Chapman said the tribe is currently working its land trust application through federal regulations and preparing for a complete environmental impact study.
The environmental study could take as much as a year to complete, and Washington could take six months or more to approve the trust application, after which Gov. Scott Walker has up to a year to concur on the application approval, tribal leaders said.
"The Bureau (of Indian Affairs) has no set time table to have land in trust," Chapman added.
Tribal leaders were joined by Shullsburg city council members, all of whom worked to keep the presentation upbeat and positive, despite a few questions from audience members concerned about fire and police protection and an influx of people to their community.
Tribal President Tom Maulson assured the community that "fire protection is in the plans," particularly because the hotel is 10 stories tall, and the tribe will work "with local police and the sheriff's department."
"Intergovernmental agreements will address the need for extra fire protection and police protection," Maulson said, noting the tribe understood the small community does not have funds to put toward the large additional need.
State Sen. Dale Schultz, Rep. Howard Marklein, Lafayette County Board Chairman Jack Sauer and First Vice Chairman Wayne Wilson emphasized the jobs that will come into the county during construction and operation of the casino resort.
"We need jobs here in Lafayette County; we need jobs in southwest Wisconsin," Wilson said. "Money from the tribe will be used for tax relief," he added.
"There will be jobs," Maulson reiterated. "There will be entrepreneurial opportunities."
The $132 million project is expected to generate 800 construction jobs with a $34 million payroll.
Operations are expected to create 600 permanent jobs with an annual $20 million payroll and $25 million in purchases for good and services, including food, clothing, maintenance services and vehicles.
Tribal leaders said there's not an exodus of tribal members coming to Shullsburg. As many as 85 percent of the permanent jobs is expected to be filled by local applicants.
Components of the project include the casino and bingo hall, a 300-room hotel tower, an event center, meeting space, multiple food venues, a fitness center and spa, a gift shop, an RV campground and a sporting club.
Sauer said since Lands' End layoff of 200 people in September 2012, the four largest employers in the county have been government entities.
The casino resort, he said, "will offer a living wage with health insurance benefits. The traffic through Shullsburg will help local businesses."
Maulson said there would be increased need for area marketing, tourism and agriculture.
"But first, let's get the place built," he added.
About 200 people gathered for a presentation hosted by the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians to update area residents and officials on the status of the tribe's land trust application for the new facility.
The tribe's most optimistic estimate for construction to begin is at least 18 to 24 months.
The long process is "complicated with many layers," cautioned Duane Chapman, project manager for the tribe.
Chapman said the tribe is currently working its land trust application through federal regulations and preparing for a complete environmental impact study.
The environmental study could take as much as a year to complete, and Washington could take six months or more to approve the trust application, after which Gov. Scott Walker has up to a year to concur on the application approval, tribal leaders said.
"The Bureau (of Indian Affairs) has no set time table to have land in trust," Chapman added.
Tribal leaders were joined by Shullsburg city council members, all of whom worked to keep the presentation upbeat and positive, despite a few questions from audience members concerned about fire and police protection and an influx of people to their community.
Tribal President Tom Maulson assured the community that "fire protection is in the plans," particularly because the hotel is 10 stories tall, and the tribe will work "with local police and the sheriff's department."
"Intergovernmental agreements will address the need for extra fire protection and police protection," Maulson said, noting the tribe understood the small community does not have funds to put toward the large additional need.
State Sen. Dale Schultz, Rep. Howard Marklein, Lafayette County Board Chairman Jack Sauer and First Vice Chairman Wayne Wilson emphasized the jobs that will come into the county during construction and operation of the casino resort.
"We need jobs here in Lafayette County; we need jobs in southwest Wisconsin," Wilson said. "Money from the tribe will be used for tax relief," he added.
"There will be jobs," Maulson reiterated. "There will be entrepreneurial opportunities."
The $132 million project is expected to generate 800 construction jobs with a $34 million payroll.
Operations are expected to create 600 permanent jobs with an annual $20 million payroll and $25 million in purchases for good and services, including food, clothing, maintenance services and vehicles.
Tribal leaders said there's not an exodus of tribal members coming to Shullsburg. As many as 85 percent of the permanent jobs is expected to be filled by local applicants.
Components of the project include the casino and bingo hall, a 300-room hotel tower, an event center, meeting space, multiple food venues, a fitness center and spa, a gift shop, an RV campground and a sporting club.
Sauer said since Lands' End layoff of 200 people in September 2012, the four largest employers in the county have been government entities.
The casino resort, he said, "will offer a living wage with health insurance benefits. The traffic through Shullsburg will help local businesses."
Maulson said there would be increased need for area marketing, tourism and agriculture.
"But first, let's get the place built," he added.