The Pamunkey Indian Tribe announced W.M. Jordan Company, based in Newport News, Virginia, will team with national casino builder Suffolk to build the $500 million HeadWaters Resort & Casino on the Elizabeth River in Norfolk. The Pamunkey tribe is partnering with Tennessee billionaire Jon Yarbrough on the casino, scheduled to open in 2023.
Suffolk has built and expanded casinos in Florida, Arkansas and Boston Harbor. It was named the number-one hotel sector construction firm in 2020 by Building Design + Construction. Jordan has completed more than 100 projects in Norfolk, including the Hilton Norfolk, Nauticus, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters and buildings at Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University and Eastern Virginia Medical School.
In a statement, Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray said the Norfolk casino contract will require “high participation goals” for Black-owned businesses and Black construction workers. Gray noted, “This construction team will bring this project to life, one nail at a time. They are known for the quality of their work, and I have confidence they can deliver a magnificent project on schedule Just as important as their commitment to quality work, they are equally committed to providing opportunities for small and minority owned subcontractors and suppliers to play a significant role in this project.”
The project will include a casino, 300-room hotel and entertainment venue and create at least 2,000 construction jobs.
