ROLLING THE DICE ON BIG RESORT: Developers of the Mountain Home casino complex pushing forward

BOISE — Developers of a proposed 500,000-square-foot resort-casino in Mountain Home said they intend to move forward with the entertainment portion of the project if the federal government and Gov. Brad Little reject their gaming license. 

In an open house at the Boise Metro Chamber March 17, representatives of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes addressed a wide range of topics related to the proposal, which would be built in phases on a 157-acre parcel off Interstate 84 at Exit 95. 

“While well positioned to attract a significant portion of regional, national and even international tourists to the region, the Mountain Home-Elmore County complex is first and foremost a community-oriented project,” said Echo Marshall, public affairs manager for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, during the presentation. “The project is designed to benefit the local community by enhancing the economic vitality of the surrounding region, improving public safety through better road access and providing community amenities.” 

Developers are considering the family component, including the convention space, bowling alley, video arcade and movie theater, may be built first.  

The Shoshone Bannock Tribes, based in Fort Hall, Idaho, applied for federal approval of their off-reservation casino with the United States Department of Interior, which has not decided on the proposal. The Tribes operate three resort-casino on Tribal land across Southern Idaho.  

This resort-casino, estimated to cost $311 million, would include 2,000 electronic gaming machines, a 250-room hotel, six restaurants, a 15,000 square-foot event center, a 16-lane bowling alley, a movie theater with two screens, and an arcade. 

Also included in the project are a horse racing track with a grandstand.  

Overall, the completed project would add $187.2 million into the state and local economy annually, according to estimates. About $160 million would be infused into the economy during the construction phase alone, according to the Tribes.  

Marshall said the project will also “provide career opportunities across a broad range of industries, such as hospitality, gaming and retail, providing jobs, services and revenue.” 

An economic feasibility study conducted for the project by Atlanta-based consulting firm The Innovation Group estimates that the resort-casino will employ 1,200 people annually for services ranging from hotel personnel, housekeeping, food and beverage, security, technicians, maintenance, and more.  

During the construction phase, the resort-casino plans to employ nearly 3,000 construction related trades, engineers and workers. Additional and indirect employment opportunities would include contracting with local businesses and companies to provide supplies, food and beverage, computer services and furnishing.  

About 80% of those jobs would be taken by Mountain Home residents, but the question of housing looms over the project.  

“One thing that (the community) is concerned about, is the lack of housing in Mountain Home,” said Alonzo Coby, planning director of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes. 

Mountain Home and Elmore County are exploring housing options, including developments that could double the population in the area. Housing demand in the area is increasing because of relatively lower prices as well as a planned increase in hiring at Micron. 

The Innovation Group estimates the project could net the tribe $226 million in revenue each year starting in 2026, its proposed second year of operations, according to their draft report says.