Cherokee Nation Entertainment recently announced ground will be broken this spring for its 10th casino property, Cherokee Casino Grove in Grove, Oklahoma. The 39,000 square foot facility will be built on a 24-acre tract purchased by the tribe in 2013, and offer 400 electronic games, a restaurant, bar, live music venue and a dance floor in a “rustic, lodge-style venue.”
The facility will create 175 new jobs, said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “We understand the role our businesses play in the lives of Cherokee Nation citizens and the future of the tribe. We are using facilities like this to create good-paying jobs for our citizens, build local economies and provide funding for services to the Cherokee people. A look right up the road to Jay, our new health center, is a perfect example of how dollars from our businesses impact the lives of citizens in this community,” Baker said.
He added, “The tribe’s entertainment expertise, coupled with the stunning natural landscape and the opportunity to enjoy family activities on the lake, will truly drive visitors to this area of the Cherokee Nation. Our tribal businesses, like the forthcoming casino, play a vital role in our future as a tribe, as well as our home state. The tribe is the economic engine of this region, and we must keep pursuing opportunities to grow that impact, create jobs and further economic development for our friends and family.”
Shawn Slaton, chief executive officer at Cherokee Nation Businesses, parent company CNE, stated, “We have a long history of bringing the best of entertainment to the region. Our facilities are first-class and our team is top notch. We are committed to offering our guests a superior experience in a safe environment. We look forward to working with Delaware County and the community of Grove. Experience has shown our business model is good for local economies, and we’ve been fortunate to develop great relationships throughout various communities. We expect to accomplish the same thing here. We are grateful for the support and ready to bring new entertainment options to Grand Lake.”
CNB employs 4,000 people at nine casinos as well as three hotels, three golf courses and other retail ventures. Cherokee Casino Grove will be the tribe’s second casino in Delaware county; its Cherokee Casino West Siloam Springs opened in 1994. CNB also operates Cherokee Casinos in Fort Gibson, Ramona, Roland, Sallisaw, South Coffeyville, Tahlequah; a horse racetrack, Will Rogers Downs, in Claremore; and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa. The Cherokee Nation went into the entertainment industry in 1990 and now employs more than 3,700 people in the entertainment and hospitality division, officials said. It operates Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa in Catoosa, eight other Cherokee casinos, a horse track, three hotels, three golf courses and other retail operations.
