News: Clark County, Wis. (Ho-Chunk Payment - 28 Apr 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Thundercloud

----Source: Clark County Press, Neillsville, Clark Co., WI, April 28, 2010, Page 13

Ho-Chunk gives thousands to Clark County

Clark is one of 11 Wisconsin counties that have received a substantial sum from the Ho-Chunk Nation. Clark County has received $20,000 and will potentially get that same sum for up to 25 years under the agreement with the Nation.

The Ho-Chunk Nations’ gaming compact with Wisconsin requires the Nation make annual payments to the state partially based on the winnings from its gambling facilities.  But an amendment to that compact allows the Nation to give $1,000 per acre to each Wisconsin County that has tribal trust land.

The Nation potentially will give nearly $2.2 million annually to the counties for at least the next 25 years, which would result in over $55 million to Wisconsin counties.  In addition to Clark, the Native American tribe is giving the funds to Adams, Crawford, Dane, Jackson, Juneau, Monroe, Sauk, Shawano, Vernon and Wood Counties.

Ho-Chunk vice president Dan Brown says many community leaders have expressed their excitement about the unexpected funds.

"The Ho-Chunk Nation always strives to support local communities throughout Wisconsin," said Brown.  "During these tough economic times, we hope these payments will help spur economic development, ignite success for many local businesses, and improve neighborhoods."

Each of the 11 counties have individualized plans on how they will use the additional funds, some projects include maintenance of roads, highways, parks and bridges, law enforcement patrol, improving electronic communications, funding for human services programs, funding economic development centers and economic growth.

Anne Thundercloud, Ho-Chunk public relations officer added, "We’re excited to see how the payments will help improve our local communities.  Since the payments will continue for the next 25 years, we expect everyone in these 11 counties and surrounding communities will benefit in the long run."

For more information contact Anne.Thundercloud@ho-chunk.com; Black River Falls Office 800-726-7509; Madison Office 608 - 277-9964.