Wisconsin: Menominee Tribe-backed Hard Rock Casino proposal clears Kenosha County Board vote

The Kenosha County Board of Supervisors has approved a proposal for a Hard Rock Casino in a 10-9 vote, concluding their session just after 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17.

The designated land for the casino is situated on County Highway K off I-94, currently utilized as farmland. The Menominee Tribe will operate the casino, while the city of Kenosha would retain ownership of the land, FOX6 News reported.

The proposal will now undergo review by the US Bureau of Indian Affairs as the next procedural step.

A document prepared by the Menominee Tribe earlier this month outlined the casino proposal, featuring a gaming area with 1,500 slot machines, approximately 50 table games, restaurants, bars, and additional amenities. The plan also encompasses a 150-room Hard Rock Hotel, a Hard Rock Cafe, and a Hard Rock Live venue with a seating capacity of 2,000.

The estimated cost of the casino project is $360 million, anticipated to generate nearly 1,000 construction jobs over an 18-month period. Once operational, the casino is expected to employ around 1,000 individuals, with an average full-time salary of approximately $54,000.

Projections indicate the casino will attract more than 2.4 million annual visits, with nearly 1.6 million originating from out-of-state visitors. The anticipated economic impact is estimated at $352 million for Kenosha County and $492 million for the state.

The approved agreement stipulates that the casino site will be exempt from local property taxes, but the City of Kenosha will receive payments based on gaming revenue. The contract states that there will be an annual payment of 750,000 dollars to local public schools if net profits exceed 2 million dollars. Moreover, starting from the third year, an annual amount of 500,000 dollars will be allocated to the city's public museums and to support a home acquisition program.

The document also includes an allocation of $1 million for the purchase of advanced life support vehicles and an annual payment of 500,000 dollars for six years for the construction of a new facility that will serve as a police station, fire department, and public works office near the casino complex.

Nine years ago, the Kenosha casino project received widespread approval, including a "yes" from the Common Council, a "yes" from the county council, and even a "yes" from federal authorities. However, the plan encountered a decisive hurdle as then-Governor Scott Walker rejected the proposal.