Menominee Gaming Authority Chairman Gary Besaw said the proposed plan to turn the former Kenosha Dairyland greyhound track site into a casino and convention center will create jobs and have minimal impact on the Potawatomi casino in Milwaukee.
“We’re looking at approximately 3,300 direct jobs,” Besaw said, adding it would help Gov. Scott Walker meet his goal of more jobs. “I think we’ve already shown and we will continue to show that we can help the governor.”
Speaking on Sunday’s “Upfront with Mike Gousha,” produced in partnership with WisPolitics.com, Besaw estimated the casino would generate another 1,800 indirect jobs and $35 million in revenue for the state each year.
Besaw pointed to plans to include a convention center and performance space in the proposed casino as additional sources of revenue and customer interest. He said proximity to Chicago is another advantage for the location.
“Within 60 miles we’ve got a population base that probably matches or is greater than the whole of the state of Wisconsin,” Besaw said.
Offers to allow the Potawatomi Tribe a role in managing the new casino are sincere, Besaw said.
“We understand the Potawatomi’s position; we would want to make sure, like them, that our tribal members can sustain a good way of life,” Besaw said. “Quite frankly they don’t want to go back to the way of life that the Menominee is now in.”
See more from the show:
http://www.wisn.com/politics/upfront
