MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – After 20 years in the making, the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California finally broke ground on their casino in Madera.
Hundreds of tribal citizens and community members gathered at the tribes’ federal trust land just north of the City of Madera, along Highway 99.
Saturday’s ceremony marks a crucial milestone for the tribe’s long-awaited casino and resort.
“It is an amazing day for my community of Madera. We’ve been waiting with them and sacrificing and crying along with them because there were so many obstacles,” Mayor Santos Garcia of Madera said.
Mayor Garcia says Madera is traditionally a small, rural community and the casino will have a large economic impact.
“The casino coming in is going to provide numerous people with good paying jobs and other companies are going to come here and say, we want to build around the casino because they have traction, they have people coming in,” Mayor Garcia said.
North Fork Rancheria Tribal Chairman Fred Beihn expresses his gratitude in the following:
“Today we stand on the shoulders of many tribal leaders who came before us and wish to thank the numerous regional leaders who respected our cause, our approach, and our ambition to improve the quality of life for our citizens as well as our surrounding community,” said Fred Beihn.
It will feature high-quality gaming, entertainment, including 2,000 slots and 40 table games, two full-service restaurants, and six quick-serve-dining options.
“I just want to thank everyone who has been working all these years past administrations, Madera County, the City of Madera administrators in the past for having the patience and the wherewithal to make sure that our federal and state governments are supporting this. And this is finally going to happen,” Mayor Garcia said.
Mayor Garcia says the casino will be a game-changer for the future of Madera County.
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