SHULLSBURG - On the heels of Gov. Scott Walker's Jan. 23 rejection of the Menominee Tribe's proposal to build an $800 million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Kenosha, Shullsburg Mayor Gloria Swenson was pleasantly surprised to learn Wednesday that another tribe is still targeting her city for a similar project.
"They are going to continue with the application process," Swenson said of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, based in Vilas County. Since 2001, the tribe has owned land west of Shullsburg with the hope of building a resort and casino. "But I'm sure the decision in Kenosha will impact this."
And that leaves Swenson far from holding her breath on a project that could bring 600 jobs, representing nearly half of Shullsburg's population.
"I hope our situation is different, that our project is judged on its own merits," Swenson said. "I'm not sure how many people the tribe would bring from up north, but either way it will certainly be good for not only Shullsburg but our entire (Lafayette) county."
The news of the application process continuing is a flip from the tribe's vote in April that narrowly ended funding for it. At the time, the tribe said its council would continue to work with on alternative funding for the Shullsburg project.
Tribal President Henry St. Germaine did not return phone calls seeking comment on the status of the project's funding.
Despite the process stretching out to its 14th year, Swenson said it hasn't cost Shullsburg one cent. All it has done is taxed the city's patience a bit.
"Any fees we've incurred, such as legal fees or contract fees, have been reimbursed by the tribe," she said. "So all we can do is continue waiting, which we're accustomed to doing. We're hopeful, but life goes on. There are other things to worry about.
"If it happens, it happens, but it's entirely the governor's decision. You can hope all you want, but if he says no, he says no."
Currently, another casino-application decision looms for Walker in nearby Beloit, where Ho-Chunk Nation hopes to build.
"They are going to continue with the application process," Swenson said of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, based in Vilas County. Since 2001, the tribe has owned land west of Shullsburg with the hope of building a resort and casino. "But I'm sure the decision in Kenosha will impact this."
And that leaves Swenson far from holding her breath on a project that could bring 600 jobs, representing nearly half of Shullsburg's population.
"I hope our situation is different, that our project is judged on its own merits," Swenson said. "I'm not sure how many people the tribe would bring from up north, but either way it will certainly be good for not only Shullsburg but our entire (Lafayette) county."
The news of the application process continuing is a flip from the tribe's vote in April that narrowly ended funding for it. At the time, the tribe said its council would continue to work with on alternative funding for the Shullsburg project.
Tribal President Henry St. Germaine did not return phone calls seeking comment on the status of the project's funding.
Despite the process stretching out to its 14th year, Swenson said it hasn't cost Shullsburg one cent. All it has done is taxed the city's patience a bit.
"Any fees we've incurred, such as legal fees or contract fees, have been reimbursed by the tribe," she said. "So all we can do is continue waiting, which we're accustomed to doing. We're hopeful, but life goes on. There are other things to worry about.
"If it happens, it happens, but it's entirely the governor's decision. You can hope all you want, but if he says no, he says no."
Currently, another casino-application decision looms for Walker in nearby Beloit, where Ho-Chunk Nation hopes to build.