Officials of the Catawba Indian Nation recently confirmed the tribe is in discussions with Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, regarding management of its proposed 0 million casino in Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina.
In 2013 the South Carolina-based tribe applied to the federal government to take 40 acres of land it owns off I-85 into trust. The application is under review.
Tribal leaders said the Kings Mountain casino would generate $300 million in its first year of operation and create 5,000 new jobs. State and local lawmakers and citizens have spoken out against the project on moral grounds but others said the jobs and revenue are needed.
