After years of anticipation and debate, the Ho Chunk Nation is finally ready to break ground on their long-awaited casino in Beloit, Wisconsin.
The proposed $405 million project, which has been in the works for over a decade, will be located on a 73-acre plot of land just off Interstate 90. The casino will include a 300-room hotel, conference center, restaurants, and a 40,000 square foot gaming floor with more than 2,200 slot machines and 50 table games.
The groundbreaking ceremony is set to take place next month, with tribal leaders, local officials, and representatives from the gaming industry expected to attend. The event will mark the beginning of construction on what is expected to be a major economic boon for the Beloit area.
The casino is expected to create over 1,500 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs once it opens. In addition, the project is estimated to generate millions of dollars in revenue for the Ho Chunk Nation and the surrounding community.
Tribal Chairman, Wilfrid Cleveland, expressed his excitement about the upcoming groundbreaking, stating that the casino will not only provide much-needed jobs and revenue for the tribe, but also help to stimulate economic growth in the region.
Local officials have also voiced their support for the project, citing the potential for job creation and economic development in the Beloit area. Mayor Diane Hendricks called the casino a “game-changer” for the city, and praised the Ho Chunk Nation for their commitment to the project.
Despite some opposition from anti-gambling groups, the majority of Beloit residents are in favor of the casino, with many seeing it as a way to boost the local economy and attract visitors to the area.
Construction on the casino is expected to take 18-24 months, with an opening date projected for late 2023. The Ho Chunk Nation is already making plans for a grand opening celebration, which will include live entertainment, special promotions, and VIP events.
With the groundbreaking just around the corner, excitement is building in Beloit as the city prepares to welcome the Ho Chunk casino and all the opportunities it will bring.
