Choctaw Nation planning $250 million hotel, casino expansion

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000 | 4:10 a.m.

The complex - tentatively named Golden Moon - will also boast a 600-room hotel.

Tribal Chief Phillip Martin said Tuesday the casino and other developments, such as a retail center and villas at the Dancing Rabbit Golf Course, will take place over the next four years and create nearly 10,000 jobs.

"We don't want to go back to the past. We want to continue to build things to have success," Martin said. "You can have a resort in the desert in Las Vegas and a lot of places, so why not here?"

Silver Star is the state's only land-based casino. It is not regulated by Mississippi because of federal laws governing tribal casinos.

The resort and casino have grown since opening in 1994 under the guidance of Boyd Gaming Corp. The Choctaws severed the management agreement last year, deciding to run their casino operations themselves.

Doug Pattison, the new chief executive officer and general manager of Silver Star, said the good times will continue.

"There's going to be more opportunities and more jobs," he said.

Martin said the greatest impact of the planned development will be the purchase of goods and services in the area as a result of the growth.

Martin said traditional manufacturing jobs will fade from the rural economy, and he believes casinos are one way to fill the employment gap. He said he is also interested in attracting highly skilled technology jobs, which is why education is important to the tribe. High school graduates in the tribe have the opportunity to attend college at no cost.

"Our policy is to send anyone who wants to go to college anywhere in the country free. In the long run, we think it's going to pay off," he said.