An Upper Michigan ski resort is hoping add a hotel and casino to increase business.
Indianhead Mountain Ski Resort wants to work with the Lac Vieux Desert tribe to operate a conference center and casino about a dozen miles from Ironwood.
Town of Wakefield Supervisor John Cox thinks it could draw a lot of business to the region.
“They plan that they’ve got for the hotel and convention center coupled with a casino would be unique to the ski industry, especially in the Midwest. As a township supervisor, we want any economic development that we can get. This area’s been hard hit by unemployment for many many years.”
Cox thinks the plan could bring 200 regular jobs, in addition to construction-related employment.
But there are a few hurdles that would have to be dealt with. The proposed casino property is not on reservation land, so Lac Vieux Desert tribe would have to operate it in a land trust to make it legal. And Cox explains, the plan would have to be approved by the state and federal government.
“They would assess the situation after a feasibility study has been done and so forth, so like I said there’s lots of heavy lifting to do.”
Cox says the first step is to assess public support for the project. The town will hold a public information meeting at 6 pm Wednesday in Wakefield.
The town of Wakefield is also accepting written comments.
