The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians recently broke ground on a new 83,000 square foot conference center and hotel at Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel and Casino in Cherokee, North Carolina. It’s expected to be completed in two and a half years. The convention space will include a 32,000 square foot ballroom with 22 meeting rooms, 900 square foot board room and 33,000 square foot exhibition hall. The expansion also will feature a terrace pool, fitness center, 2,600-space parking facility, retail and a restaurant and bar. The hotel tower, the property’s fourth, will offer 725 rooms with 70 suites.
Principal Chief Richard G. Sneed said, “The groundbreaking of this convention space and this project really just represents the first phase of economic diversification and many projects to come. This is an industry that literally generates hundreds of billions of dollars a year, and we have something so unique here in Cherokee to offer. We have our culture. We have our story. We have these beautiful mountains that surround us, and I believe this is going to be a destination of choice for many conventions for years to come.”
He added, “We, as tribal leadership, must continue to look toward the future, and we must understand that the decisions we make today are going to impact our people for generations to come. And so, I applaud the decision-making from the Tribal Council in support of this project.” Last August the Tribal Council approved an ordinance granting the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise the authority to make financial arrangements including a $250 million loan for the expansion construction.
Sneed also noted the revenue generated from the convention center, the Adventure Theme Park and other projects provide housing, health care, higher education and more for tribal members.
Harrah’s Cherokee Senior Vice President and General Manager Brooks Robinson said, “It is very exciting to know that we are about to build a fourth hotel tower, convention center, exhibition hall, and additional parking spaces that are badly needed.” He noted the TCGE provides jobs for 3,600 employees and the expansion will add another 300-400 jobs.
