Council OKs Casino, Tribal Village Agreement

The South Bend Common Council has approved an agreement with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians involving the proposed $400 million tribal village and casino. The deal involves payments from gaming revenues in lieu of property taxes.

Under the agreement, the city would receive at least $1 million and possibly more than $2 million annually, depending on the number of games at the planned Four Winds Casino. The band is also offering the city $5 million for programs benefiting the community.

The village plans call for 44 housing units and a multi-purpose community center.

An early-stage study of the property suggests more than 1,400 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent positions would be created by the development. Half of the two percent of revenues would go toward some city services and the other half would be paid to the city’s Redevelopment Commission.

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians includes 5,000 citizens in six northern Indiana counties and four southwest Michigan counties.