NEW BUFFALO, Mich., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Federal District Court Judge
James Robertson has ruled in favor of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
by dismissing the last remaining issue filed in the lawsuit by Taxpayers of
Michigan Against Casinos (TOMAC). The ruling clears the way for the Bureau of
Indian Affairs to take a 675-acre parcel of land in New Buffalo Township into
trust for the tribe. Once the land is taken into trust, the Pokagons will
build their casino development.
"This is a great day for the Pokagons and all our supporters in southwest
Michigan," said Pokagon Tribal Chairman, John Miller. "Today, justice was
done for our members and their families. The perseverance and patience of the
Pokagon people is a testament to the generations that came before us. The
Pokagons are one step closer to self sufficiency -- one step closer to
providing housing, health care and educational opportunities for our tribal
members."
Robertson's ruling was his third opinion in a lawsuit that has lasted more
than 4 years. Each ruling has dismissed additional arguments made by TOMAC in
their attempt to delay or stop the development of the Pokagons' casino. TOMAC
has been connected to the same law firms and public relations firms paid by
Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana. Blue Chip paid its former owner,
Kevin Flynn, more than $7.5 million for his effort to delay the Pokagon casino
development.
The Pokagons will now urge the Department of Interior and the Bureau of
Indian Affairs to move forward with its decision to take the land into trust.
Once that process is completed, the tribe will begin formal construction of
their 144,000 sq. ft Four Winds Casino Resort. It is expected that the
construction will take approximately 18 months until the casino is open for
business.
"We cannot wait to begin construction," said Miller. "The building
process alone will support more than 1000 high paying construction jobs. The
community will see a very positive impact almost immediately."
The Four Winds Casino will be built in two phases. The first phase will
include the casino, six restaurants and a parking garage for 2,200 cars. The
second phase will include a hotel and special events center. Economic studies
predict the casino will support 3,500 new jobs in the community with 2,000 new
jobs created directly at the casino. The study also estimates payments of
more than $20 million to the State and more than $4 million a year in direct
payments to governments and agencies in the region.
"We have many people to thank for sticking with us and believing in this
project," said Miller. "But, on behalf of our tribal members, I would
especially like to thank the good people of New Buffalo and New Buffalo
Township. Their never wavering support made our case unbeatable. We look
forward to being community partners with them."
There are nearly 3,000 tribal members of the Pokagon Band, approximately
1,500 of which live in Michigan and Indiana. Their 10-county service area
includes Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Van Buren counties in Michigan and Elkhart,
Kosciusko, Laporte, Marshall, Starke and St. Joseph counties in Indiana.
Electronic versions of this release, as well as the Pokagon Gaming history
timeline, Four Winds Casino drawings, Pokagon Tribal history, and Outline of
the Four Winds Casino project are available at http://www.mrgmi.com .
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SOURCE Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
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Related links:
http://www.mrgmi.com
CONTACT:
Tom Shields of Marketing Resource Group,
+1-517-372-4400 or cell: +1-517-449-9810, for Pokagon Band of
Potawatomi Indians
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