SHULLSBURG - A proposed casino resort project stands to bring millions into Shullsburg's city coffers under an agreement reached between the city and the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.
Shullsburg and the tribe, based in northern Wisconsin, have approved the intergovernmental and development agreements for the tribe's proposed off-reservation casino complex in Shullsburg, according to a news release from the tribe Monday, March 17. The intergovernmental agreement details how the tribe and city plan to work together, while the development agreement details the commitment the tribe is making to the development process.
Under plans announced in August, the tribe plans to build a 20-acre facility that will include a casino, hotel, event center, campground and sportsman's club. The $132- million project is projected to generate 600 permanent jobs and 800 construction jobs.
Upon approval of the project, Shullsburg will receive an infrastructure down payment, as well as 2 percent of the project's net win annually. In return, the tribe will receive municipal services, city improvements, exclusivity and ongoing governmental support for the application process.
The tribe has committed to a guaranteed minimum annual payment indexed for inflation. "The payment to the city will be a minimum of $14 million after the first 10 years of operations," Tribal President Tom Maulson said in the news release. The tribe will also give $5 million to the Shullsburg school district over that same time period.
"The agreement has been set up so the more successful we are, the more dollars will go to Shullsburg," Maulson said.
There is still more work to be done to complete the trust land application process, but this signing shows that the city and the tribe have reached a new level in their partnership, he said. "While we're not at the finish line yet, I am very pleased with our government-to-government relationship."
"These agreements are due to a strong effort by both the city and the tribe, the results of which are satisfactory to both parties and beneficial to the whole area," Shullsburg Mayor Tom Lethlean said in the release.
The tribe is currently assisting the Bureau of Indian Affairs in preparing a draft of the Environmental Impact Statement, which is expected to completed this summer.
A ceremonial signing of the documents is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 25. The ceremony is open to the public and there will time for questions after the signing.
Shullsburg and the tribe, based in northern Wisconsin, have approved the intergovernmental and development agreements for the tribe's proposed off-reservation casino complex in Shullsburg, according to a news release from the tribe Monday, March 17. The intergovernmental agreement details how the tribe and city plan to work together, while the development agreement details the commitment the tribe is making to the development process.
Under plans announced in August, the tribe plans to build a 20-acre facility that will include a casino, hotel, event center, campground and sportsman's club. The $132- million project is projected to generate 600 permanent jobs and 800 construction jobs.
Upon approval of the project, Shullsburg will receive an infrastructure down payment, as well as 2 percent of the project's net win annually. In return, the tribe will receive municipal services, city improvements, exclusivity and ongoing governmental support for the application process.
The tribe has committed to a guaranteed minimum annual payment indexed for inflation. "The payment to the city will be a minimum of $14 million after the first 10 years of operations," Tribal President Tom Maulson said in the news release. The tribe will also give $5 million to the Shullsburg school district over that same time period.
"The agreement has been set up so the more successful we are, the more dollars will go to Shullsburg," Maulson said.
There is still more work to be done to complete the trust land application process, but this signing shows that the city and the tribe have reached a new level in their partnership, he said. "While we're not at the finish line yet, I am very pleased with our government-to-government relationship."
"These agreements are due to a strong effort by both the city and the tribe, the results of which are satisfactory to both parties and beneficial to the whole area," Shullsburg Mayor Tom Lethlean said in the release.
The tribe is currently assisting the Bureau of Indian Affairs in preparing a draft of the Environmental Impact Statement, which is expected to completed this summer.
A ceremonial signing of the documents is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 25. The ceremony is open to the public and there will time for questions after the signing.