White Earth Nation outlines resort-casino vision; Clay County commissioners pause on support as residents raise aquifer, tax concerns

White Earth Nation leaders described a proposal on April 22 for a resort-style casino complex, hotel, convention space and an accompanying truck stop on about 288 acres the tribe purchased near the I‑94/State 336 corridor and asked Clay County for a letter of support for putting land into federal trust.

The tribe’s Chairman Fairbanks and project team member Nate Matthews said the concept is intended as a regional economic engine, with a casino floor, restaurants, a 250–300‑room hotel, convention space and “a truck stop and convenience store” near the interstate. Matthews said the project could create “a minimum of 450 to 550 jobs” and that entry-level wages would start near $19 an hour with additional benefits the tribe provides to employees.

Local residents at the meeting raised immediate concerns about the proposed trust status, possible loss of local zoning and property-tax revenue, and the environmental risk to a nearby aquifer. Resident Fred Wright told the board the move to trust “removes [the land] from the tax rolls” and…