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 warned the county could face higher social‑service demands while receiving little or no property-tax revenue. Glendon Township Supervisor John Winter asked the tribe to supply an environmental impact study, an economic impact study and a public-safety/crime analysis before the county took any formal position.

Why it matters: placing land into federal trust removes it from local property-tax rolls and often limits local land-use control; the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) handles trust applications. Commissioners said the scale of the proposal and its proximity to municipal services mean any plan would require coordination with the cities of Moorhead and Dilworth on water, sewer and road connections. County leaders declined to send a letter of support at the meeting and asked the tribe to continue community engagement and supply more technical detail.

Commissioner Paul Ebinger noted the property sits within an existing orderly‑annexation area tied to Moorhead and said, “A facility of this size would be very difficult to provide the utilities with water and with a well and a septic field. It would be more appropriate to have water and sewer to this location.” Chairman Fairbanks replied the tribe sees water protection as a priority and would work with local governments on infrastructure.

Several speakers also raised fiscal concerns. Paul Lehman, representing American Legion Post 21, told commissioners that changes in electronic gambling formats already had reduced local organizations’ charitable proceeds, and that a tribal trust site could further erode the local tax base. A speaker who identified himself as a farmer called the trust idea “a burden” for volunteer emergency services and the sheriff’s office.

What the tribe said: Chairman Fairbanks described the land purchase and urged continued dialogue. He said tribal business operations are structured with separate governance and internal commissions for gaming and cannabis operations and that the tribal council reports to tribal members. Matthews described the project as “a vibrant community” around a resort-casino, said the tribe would study design and utility needs before submitting anything to the BIA, and asked the county to consider a letter of support for an eventual trust application.

What the county will do next: Commissioners said they would not vote on any letter of support at the April 22 meeting. Several members noted the cities of Moorhead and Dilworth should be engaged before Clay County commits to a formal endorsement. The board asked for more technical information from the tribe and told staff to schedule further opportunities for public input and intergovernmental meetings before taking a position.

Evidence: The presentation and public comments took up a major portion of the April 22 meeting; commissioners repeatedly noted the tribe had not yet filed a trust application and that federal review (through the BIA and, ultimately, the Department of the Interior) would include formal notices to local governments.

Residents who want to follow up may submit written comments to the county clerk to be included in the official record.