GLYNDON, Minn. — The road to a possible casino near Moorhead will be long, according to White Earth Nation Tribal Chairman Michael Fairbanks.
At the Glyndon City Council meeting on Wednesday evening, May 28, Fairbanks told council members that moving forward with the project will be a lengthy process, as the tribe gets the land approved for off-reservation tribal gaming, works with consultants on a plan and garners support from surrounding communities.
“We sit here in front of you, of course, asking for support, but in general, it’s going to be probably a year before we get things going moving forward,” Fairbanks said.
Around 20 Glyndon community members attended the meeting to hear about the proposal to build a
casino, resort and convention center
on
east of Moorhead. The land, at the intersection of Interstate 94 and state Highway 336, is around 6 miles southwest of Glyndon.
The White Earth Nation’s pitch includes a casino with attached hotel and convention center, plus fast food and fine dining options. The project could also include a convenience store and employee housing.
The facility would bring an estimated annual payroll of $23 million, said Nate Mathews, executive director of the White Earth Nation Tribal Utility Commission.
White Earth Nation Secretary-Treasurer Mike LaRoque said the “sky is the limit” on the economic development the complex could bring.
“We were getting a lot of good feedback from Moorhead and Dilworth, and also Clay County, about what that keeps in Minnesota here, from people going over to Fargo and going across the border to go to all these big events and all that,” LaRoque said. “That’s going to keep all that economic development here.”
Anna Paige / The Forum
White Earth Nation leaders asked Glyndon leaders to sign a letter of support for its application to designate the land as trust land for tribal gaming. That gives the federal government the title to the land, while holding it for the benefit of a tribe, according to the
This designation allows the White Earth Nation to operate a casino on the site, which is off of the White Earth Reservation.
Designating the property as trust land makes the land exempt from taxes and state and county
The Glyndon City Council did not take action on the request Wednesday.
After land is put into a trust, the casino proposal would go to White Earth Nation members for a referendum vote to approve funding, Fairbanks said.
Glyndon City Council members asked tribal leadership about the land trust process, potential agreements for city services to the facility and other comparable facilities. As the White Earth Nation takes time to dial in a plan for the land, Glyndon Mayor Joe Olson said it would take time for the council to decide whether it supports or is against the proposal. He encouraged community members to speak up or reach out with questions and comments about the project.
“It’s going to take us a little while to get the pulse from the community,” Olson said.
Anna Paige / The Forum
One resident spoke during a public comment opportunity after the presentation. Janice Jones of Glyndon expressed concerns about water supply, taxes, competition with charitable gaming, the ability to fill jobs and the land trust.
“With the whole idea of that large facility taking, possibly, business away from hotels and entertainment centers in Fargo-Moorhead, I’m just concerned about the big picture and the long run,” Jones said.
White Earth Nation representatives have also brought the request to Clay County Commission,
and
meetings in recent months. Like the Glyndon City Council, other local boards have not acted on the request to sign a letter of support for the trust application.
Tribal leaders said the White Earth Nation is organizing a group with elected leaders from Clay County, Moorhead, Dilworth, and now, Glyndon, to meet regularly throughout the process to ensure that local leaders are informed about the project.
Anna Paige / The Forum
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