White Earth Tribe Proposes Resort-Casino Near Moorhead
During a recent Moorhead City Council meeting, leaders from the White Earth Tribe presented their vision for a new resort-casino complex aimed at generating jobs, accommodation, and entertainment in the Moorhead area.
On April 28, representatives from the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe introduced their plans for a facility on 280 acres of land located east of Moorhead. The tribe acquired this land near the junction of Interstate 94 and Highway 336 late last year.
Mike LaRoque, the White Earth Nation’s secretary-treasurer, expressed amusement at the speculation surrounding the property’s intended use. At a recent Clay County Commission meeting, tribal officials shared details of a casino, hotel, and convention center they plan to build on the site. “The potential for this property is vast, and it was purchased specifically for economic development,” LaRoque stated.
The White Earth Nation is seeking a letter of support from the Moorhead City Council to assist in their application to have the parcel designated as trust land for tribal gaming. This designation would allow the federal government to hold title to the land for the benefit of the tribe, enabling them to operate a casino even though it lies outside the White Earth Reservation.
Designating the land as trust would make it tax-exempt. Clay County Administrator Stephen Larson mentioned that the tribe’s property is expected to contribute $15,100 in property tax this year, amounting to about 0.03% of the county’s total property tax revenue of approximately $50.6 million.
While council members did not take any immediate action on the proposal, they inquired about the timeline for the property to be designated as trust land. White Earth Nation Land Acquisition Manager Jake Syverson indicated that the process could take 18 to 24 months, involving multiple federal agency approvals.
The proposed casino would feature a gaming floor of 90,000-100,000 square feet, housing between 900-1,200 slot machines and up to 12 table games. Additionally, the attached hotel is expected to have 250-300 rooms, while the convention center may occupy 100,000-120,000 square feet. Plans also include options for dining facilities, a truck stop, and convenience center on the property.
