ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Welcome to the latest edition of the Elk Grove Business Roundup, a column that highlights some of the retail, restaurant and nonprofit news around Elk Grove.

The Wilton Rancheria, the tribe that owns Sky River Casino, is expanding its business footprint in Elk Grove after confirming the purchase of an additional 43-acre plot adjacent to the casino. 

Communications Manager Gianna Rogers confirmed the purchase in an email to the Elk Grove Citizen on Jan. 18 but declined to comment on the nature of the deal. 

“This acquisition is part of our ongoing commitment to invest in and develop the area we have proudly called home since time immemorial,” Rogers wrote in a statement. “While we do not have details to share about specific plans for the site at this time, we’re excited about the opportunities this purchase provides to continue contributing to the growth of our community.” 

The land purchase is the latest in a string of investments the tribe has made in the Sacramento region over the past 12 months.  

In June, casino officials unveiled plans for a 300-room hotel, a day spa, an outdoor pool and additional food and drink spaces adjacent to the casino. The casino opened in August 2022. The hotel is expected to be open in 2027. 

In November, the Wilton Rancheria announced a partnership with the Sacramento Republic FC as its new majority owner, making it the first Native American nation to hold a majority stake in a men’s professional sports team. It also announced plans to help the team build a 12,000-seat stadium in the railyards in Downtown Sacramento. 

A few weeks after the announcement, Wilton Rancheria officials revealed a multi-year partnership with Sacramento State Athletics. It includes sponsorship for a 2025 home football game and the 2026 Causeway Classic. 

Verizon Wireless customers, rejoice.

Verizon Wireless cell phone service is expected to improve in parts of Elk Grove after the Elk Grove Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to construct a new cell phone tower near the District56 civic center. 

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the permit on Jan. 16 for Verizon to build the new 70-foot cell phone tower, which will improve cellular coverage for Verizon customer between a three-fourths to one-mile radius in the area bounded by Elk Grove Boulevard, Big Horn Boulevard, Civic Center Drive and Lotz Parkway. 

The conditional use permit was needed to provide an exception to the 55-foot height limit on the parcel.  

“The existing poor coverage area is an area that for the past few years we have gotten a lot of citizen complaints and concerns about the lack of cell coverage,” Planning Manager Antonio Ablog said. “This tower, as well as a recently completed tower just west of Bruceville Road, will go a long way to alleviating that coverage gap and improve cell service in this area of the city.” 

The tower, the eighth Verizon tower in the city, will be sandwiched between an existing parking lot and a solar farm and will have 16 antennas in four sectors and eight radio units. 

The tower will be painted with non-reflective black paint to help the tower blend into the existing infrastructure in the area. 

After approval by the City Council, Verizon officials expect the project to be completed in two to four months.