The property has been in Prairie Island’s possession for more than 30 years. It has sat vacant, and the opportunity that has arisen is being able to diversify our economy and look at different business ventures that could bring in more revenues for the government.”

Prairie Island Government Relations Specialist Blake Johnson

Ravenna Township has been notified that representatives of the Prairie Island Indian Community will not be at the Thursday, May 9 Ravenna Township Board meeting.
Representatives of the PIIC had said they would attend the meeting to lay out plans for the property it has owned since 1992. Ravenna Township officials were invited to a meeting that was held Tuesday, April 16 at the Tribal Council Chambers in Welch.
Ravenna Township released the following statement Monday:
“The Prairie Island Indian Community informed us today (May 6) that they will not be attending our town board meeting on Thursday, May 9 in regard to the cannabis farm they are putting on their tribal land at the corner of Hwy 316/200th. We asked them to consider coming to our June 13 meeting, but they have not committed.”
PIIC is putting a cannabis growing operation on 13 acres of land it owns at the southeast intersection of Hwy. 316 and 200th Street.
Prairie Island Government Relations Specialist Blake Johnson told the Hastings Journal in April that cannabis grown on the site will be sold at a new dispensary PIIC is opening near Treasure Island Resort & Casino.
“The property has been in Prairie Island’s possession for more than 30 years. It has sat vacant, and the opportunity that has arisen is being able to diversify our economy and look at different business ventures that could bring in more revenues for the government. So, with the legislation that passed last year Prairie Island looked at the opportunity, at how it can integrate into the tribe’s operations. We first looked at the dispensary, which will be located next to the casino,” Johnson said. “What arises from that was having product available, and we didn’t see that there’d be much product around until a while down the road.”
Plans show up to five 12,500-15,000-square-foot buildings and 2.5 acres for outdoor cultivation.
He said finally facility planning is underway while site work gets underway.
The first plants from the operation, however, will be harvested this year.
The site will be very secure, with 24/7 security at the gate, cameras on the perimeter and in each building. The site will be fenced, and anyone who enters the premises must go through a licensing process with the PIIC.
The new cannabis dispensary will open next to the Dakota Station convenience store adjacent to Treasure Island Resort & Casino.