Lyon County Casino Ready To Break Ground

LYON COUNTY, IA - The Lyon County Casino project in northwest Iowa was staring at two final hurdles that could have slowed construction just a few weeks ago. But developers say they now have the all clear to move forward and will officially break ground Wednesday . 

In May, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe asked Iowa officials to review the casino site because it's near the Blood Run and Gitchie Manitou historic burial sites.

The casino developer also had to make sure there weren't any wetlands in the area. But both are no longer an issue, which is allowing developers to dig in. 

"We're very excited to finally see this day and build this $120 million resort and create those jobs, and it will be a wonderful thing for the region up there," Sharon Haselhoff with Kehl Management said.

Kehl Management got the all clear last week when the Army Corps of Engineers sent them a letter on June 15.

"They needed to decide if there were wetlands on the area that the project would occur, and they determined it would not require a permit and so we've received our letter that we've provided everything we need to and we're good to move forward on the project," Haselhoff said.

They also received a letter from the Iowa State Historical Society saying an archaeological survey of the site came back clear and there are no burial grounds in the area. 

"We take everything very seriously and want to be a good corporate citizen, and work with everyone, and we got everything lined up and we're moving forward," Haselhoff said.

Moving forward and moving earth to make way for a $120 million casino.

Developers will officially break ground at the site Wednesday at 1 p.m.