Page 29 - 2019 Washington DC Trip Packet

HO-CHUNK NATION BELOIT CASINO PROJECT

The Ho-Chunk Nation is proposing a destination-based entertainment
complex in the City of Beloit, WI that includes a convention center, hotel,
waterpark, and a gaming venue. The gaming component of the project
specifically requires approval to place land in trust and authorize off-premise
Class III (full casino-style) gambling by the Bureau of Indian Affairs within the
Department of Interior with subsequent approval by the Wisconsin Governor.

The City of Beloit has been in partnership with the Ho-Chunk Nation (the
Nation) since an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Nation,
City of Beloit, and Rock County was first approved in March 2012. The IGA
requires revenue sharing with local government, which based on an
estimated $250 million in net win, the 2% share to the City of Beloit and Rock
County would be $5 million annually with $3.5 million (70%) to the City and
$1.5 million (30%) to the County. This critically needed revenue would
support infrastructure improvements and public safety. Further, 1,500 direct
jobs generated from this development would provide needed employment
opportunities for the Rock County region, as well as our neighbors in
northern Illinois.

The application has been under BIA review in a draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) since 2012. The final step in their process is publication
of the final EIS. We are hopeful, given that the public comment period for
the DEIS expired on December 24, 2018, following a public hearing held on
December 11, 2018, that the BIA will be prepared to publish a final EIS with
its approval this spring.

Unlike requests from other First Nations tribes, the Nation has a compact
with the State of Wisconsin that specifically provides for a fourth Class III
gaming site in Wisconsin. We are optimistic about the proposal’s state

approval partially based on this distinction.

26