After on Monday night the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians’ village project was backed by the South Bend Common Council, the public got the chance to express its opinion on the same matter several hours ago.
More than 200 people expressed their opinion for and against the proposed tribal village, which is to include a South Bend-located casino, at the public forum that was organized and hosted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians has been focused on creating a home village in Indiana. More than 500 of its members already live on the territory of the state, but now they are trying to make a special village that would suit their community’s societal, educational and medical needs.
The village project was estimated to a total of $480 million. According to plans, it would feature a hotel, housing for tribe members, as well as a special floor where the casino would be hosted.
Both supporters and opponents of the idea of creating such a village with a tribal casino were given the opportunity to express their opinion. The proponents emphasized on the fact that such a village would result in potential economic benefits when it comes to creating new jobs and expanding the community investments.
More than 1,400 construction jobs are expected to be created in the process, and other 2,000 positions are planned to be created for people who are to be permanently employed in the facilities maintenance once the casino and hotel are opened. The supporters of the village plans also described concerns about crime, addiction and poverty as exaggerated.
On the other hand, the opponents of the project gave notice of the possible occurrence in case that the casino part of the undertaking is given the green light. They also stressed on the fact that if a casino is launched in the village, it would increase crime levels in the region and would also hurt local business.
The process was started by the Bureau of Indian Affairs three years ago after an initial public hearing was initiated and hosted by the organization.
Over the past couple of years, an environmental impact statement was issued by the Bureau, which is now expected to take into consideration all opinions shared over the public hearing. It must also make a decision if the land will be considered as federal trust land. According to some officials, the process could take up to a year until a final decision is made.
