An artist's rendering of the new Cherokee Nation casino in South Coffeyville, Oklahoma. Image from Cherokee Nation
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The Cherokee Nation of
Oklahoma broke ground on its newest casino on Wednesday.
The 17,000 square-foot casino is located on an Indian allotment in South Coffeyville, just one mile south of the Kansas border. The $10 million facility features 300 electronic games, a bar and a 50-seat restaurant and it will generate 100 jobs.
“One hundred jobs is huge for this area,” Chief Bill John Baker said in a press release. “By taking these paychecks home to their families, these future employees will affect the lives of countless people in the area. The hope is to fill these good, well-paying jobs with Cherokee citizens and bring much-needed economic development to this part of the Cherokee Nation.”
Construction is expected to take about six months so the facility will be open in early 2014.
The tribe is leasing the allotment from a Cherokee family. The value of the lease hasn't been reported.
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Cherokees break ground on new casino in South Coffeyville
(The Tulsa World 8/28)
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