A group called Choctaw for Better Government collected more than 1,700 signatures to put the Red Water Casino to a vote of tribal citizens. Organizer Nikki Comby told WTOK that the tribe will incur another $25 million in debt for the project.
"We were told there was going to be no new money borrowed," Cromby told the station.
Chief Phyliss Anderson does not entirely disagree on that point. In the April 2017 issue of Choctaw Community News, she said the tribe will draw on existing funds -- plus an "open line of credit" -- to build the casino.
"The casino will cost approximately $25 Million but we will have that paid off in 2 years!" Anderson wrote. In a post on Facebook on Monday, she said the tribe will be verifying the signatures on the petition.
The 35,800 square-foot Red Water Casino will be located in Leake County in Mississippi. The site is about 30 miles from Pearl River Resort, the tribe's flagship gaming resort.
The tribe also operates the the Bok Homa Casino in a
satellite community about 100 miles away. Red Water will be similar in size to that facility, according to Anderson.
Read More on the Story:
Possible vote to end Red Water Casino
(WTOK 5/22)
Related Stories: Mississippi
Choctaws won't be borrowing money to build new casino (February 3, 2017) Mississippi
Choctaw leaders approve plan for new gaming facility (January 30, 2017) Mississippi
Choctaws see increase in casino revenue and profit (November 22, 2016)