Politics & Government
Ladwig Endorses Kenosha Casino
Racine County Executive Jim Ladwig threw his support behind a proposed Kenosha casino, but only if tribal leaders keep their promise of 500 jobs for Racine County residents.
County Executive Jim Ladwig Thursday formally endorsed the proposed Kenosha casino, making the announcement with members of the Menominee Tribe.
Ladwig said he's been in negotiation with tribal leaders for about two years for promises that 15 percent of the new casino jobs will go to Racine County workers, according to The Journal Times.
“That’s the basement, that’s not the ceiling,” he is quoted as saying. “That’s the minimum goal.”
The Kenosha casino was approved last month by the U.S. Department of the Interior, and Menominee leaders set up a website at www.casinokenosha.com for supporters to urge Gov. Scott Walker to say "yes" as well, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.
Walker has said he will approve the new casino only if the community supports it, if there is not a net increase in gambling and if the rest of Wisconsin's Native American tribes also give their okay.
The casinokenosha.com website says over 6,500 jobs will be created by the new casino: 3,356 full time positions with an average salary (including benefits) of $47,234; 1,400 construction jobs; and another 1,800 indirect full and part time jobs across the region.
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