UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Habematolel Pomo’s Running Creek Casino in Upper Lake is moving through the construction phase, and in preparation for the casino’s opening later this year the tribe is looking for new employees.

Running Creek Casino is set to host two job fairs in Lake County later this month in conjunction with Lake One-Stop Inc. Business & Employment Services.

“We’re incredibly pleased with the progress of the construction project,” said Tribal Chairperson Sherry Treppa. “We’re right on track to open around Memorial Day. We’re also excited about starting the hiring process and bringing some new jobs to Lake County and the surrounding area.”

The casino will provide Lake County with more than 145 local jobs, including table games dealers, slot reps, cage personnel, food and beverage, security, surveillance and administrative staff.

The first job fair is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 24, in Lakeport at Lake One-Stop, 55 First St.

The second is scheduled for Saturday, March 31, at 10 a.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall, 9480 Main St., Upper Lake.

“As I see the casino structure go up I’m reminded of the significance of this site,” said Treppa.

She said the surrounding foothills were the tribe's former reservation – 564 acres in total – which was lost when the Habematolel Pomo were congressionally terminated in the 1950s with the passage of the California Rancheria Act.

“The tribe's federal recognition was restored in 1983, but we were landless,” Treppa explained. “Our efforts to restore our land base were fraught with obstacles. The tribe persevered nonetheless, and in 2008 we managed to have 11.24 acres received into trust.”

She added, “This casino project is allowing our tribe to take a positive step towards self-reliance while becoming a positive contributor to the economic success of Lake County. That’s something to be proud of for all of our members.”

A listing of available jobs and application forms will also be posted soon on www.runningcreekcasino.com .