Milwaukee's Mayor, Cavalier Johnson, has voiced his opposition to the proposed Menominee casino in Kenosha, aligning himself with the Forest County Potawatomi Community in their stance against the project.
In a recent interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Johnson stated, "In southeast Wisconsin, the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino already serves this area. We don’t need another casino." He highlighted the significant economic impact of the Potawatomi tribe, which has created thousands of jobs in Milwaukee and has a commendable history of community support.
These remarks come as the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is currently holding a public comment period regarding a draft environmental assessment for the Kenosha casino proposal. This 30-day comment period will conclude on April 12, after which the BIA will review the feedback and consult with tribal, state, and local authorities before reaching a final decision.
Officials from the Menominee tribe have responded positively to the draft assessment, which concluded that there are no significant environmental concerns associated with the project. The report includes a socioeconomic appendix that estimates the casino could create around 1,075 permanent jobs and 975 construction jobs over an 18-month timeframe. It also projects nearly $332 million in annual economic output for Kenosha County, with an additional $132 million for the broader Wisconsin economy.
Kenosha's Mayor, David Bogdala, has shown support for the development, referring to it as a significant opportunity for growth in the region. "This project has been a long time coming for Kenosha, and it’s exciting to see it move closer to reality," he remarked. He added, "The Hard Rock development brings new growth to Kenosha—creating jobs, attracting investment, and strengthening our community—and we are ready for it. This is a project that’s good for Kenosha, good for the region, and good for the State of Wisconsin."
On the other hand, critics have raised concerns about the depth of the assessment. Lorri Pickens from Citizens Against Gambling argued that the report does not sufficiently consider potential issues such as traffic, crime, gambling addiction, and economic repercussions. She stated, "The BIA is now reviewing a draft environmental assessment prepared by the Tribe’s own private consultant, rather than by an independent agency—a process that falls well short of the scrutiny warranted for a project of this scale."
In defense of the process, BIA spokesperson Joshua Barnett stated that the assessment was conducted under the agency’s oversight and complies with the necessary standards.
Opposition to the project has been steadfast from the Forest County Potawatomi Community, which believes that the Kenosha casino would siphon revenue away from its Milwaukee operations. Tribal officials have also expressed concerns that profits may leave the state, as the Menominee Nation’s development partner, Hard Rock Casino, is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
The Ho-Chunk Nation has previously opposed the project as well. This tribe operates six casinos in Wisconsin and plans to open a seventh in Beloit this fall.
Conversely, the Oneida Nation and the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation have expressed their support for the casino, highlighting its potential to tackle economic challenges faced by the Menominee Reservation, including poverty, unemployment, and limited access to healthcare and education.