Tribal and city officials are touting the economic benefits of a $500 million resort casino the tribe hopes to build in the southeastern Massachusetts city of Taunton.

Mayor Thomas Hoye said Monday that the casino project would mean at least $8 million annually for the city as well as bring about $30 million in traffic-related improvements.

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell said it’s hoped the casino project will start in the spring of 2016.

Dozens of members of the federally-recognized, Cape Cod-based tribe then visited the future site of the casino in a nearby business and industrial park.

The federal government, in a surprise decision Friday, accepted the tribe’s application for reservation status for 150 acres of land in Mashpee and 150 acres in Taunton, ending years of uncertainty for the tribe.

(Copyright (c) 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox