"Despite opposition from some in Jones County, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is moving ahead with plans to open the Bok Homa Casino near Sandersville.

Instead of complaining about the opening of the casino, local residents should be proud that a new business is coming on board and it has hired about 300 workers.

The casino recently held a series of job fairs and received about 1,000 applications - a sign that the region continues to struggle with the recession.

According to the latest information available, Jones County's unemployment rate in October was 8 percent, which is below the state average of 9.7 percent and the 9.0 percent national rate.

But surrounding counties, from where some of the casino's workers will likely come, aren't as well off.

Jasper and Wayne counties, for example, all posted jobless rates that topped 10 percent, according to the Mississippi Employment Security Commission.

The Choctaws have had to fend off opposition from various quarters, from local religious groups to Gov. Haley Barbour.

But, thanks to a tribal compact signed with the state in 1992, the casino is a legal business that is built on Choctaw territory. The state has no control over it."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Casino will boost region's economy (The Hattiesburg American 12/2)

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