The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is stepping up plans for a Class II facility away from the main reservation.

Tribal representatives met with officials in Jones County on Monday to potential impacts of the casino. Traffic to the rural gaming site appears to be a major concern.

"We realize that the infrastructure needs to be upgraded," spokesperson Warren Strain told The Hattiesburg American. "We fully intend to be good corporate citizens."

"Now we're working to get some numbers together as to what the increased costs will be," county attorney Wayne Thompson told the paper.

The tribal council voted 8-7 in June to move forward with a casino near Sandersville, in Jones County. The site is about 80 miles from tribal headquarters in Philadelphia, where the tribe operates two casinos, but the land is still considered part of the reservation.

Get the Story:
Jones residents split over casino (The Hattiesburg American 7/13)
Petitioners not giving up (The Laurel Leader-Call 7/13)
Casino foes seek action against construction (The Hattiesburg American 7/13)

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