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Tribe, Harrah's agree to extend contractBy Lisa Majors-DuffFollowing an announcement that Harrah's Cherokee Casino is North Caroina's largest tourist attraction, Tribal Council members and casino officials say they are ready to extend their relationship through 2004.The announcement by Principal Chief Leon Jones and Harrah's Entertainment Eastern Division President Tim Wilmott came Tuesday at the casino. The extension of the management contract between the tribe and Harrah's is subject to National Indian Gaming Commission approval. "Two years ago when the casino opened, we didn't know what the impact would be," Jones told those gathered outside one of the facility's three restaurants. "We now know the casino has been a real boom for the economy in the area." More than 3 million visitors this year have made the Cherokee casino the state's biggest tourist business in only its second year of operation, Jones said. "We have plans for expansions and plan to be leaders in the economy of the area for a long time to come," he said. Current plans to expand the casino include a development effort estimated at $82 million and the creation of between 500 and 600 more jobs. Under consideration are a hotel, convention center and additional gaming floor space. "Harrah's Cherokee Casino has been very successful since its opening in November 1997," Harrah's Chairman and CEO Phil Satre said in a written release. "We're honored to be associated with this project and pleased with the extension of this management contract on terms that are mutually beneficial to both Harrah's and the tribe." Casino management will pay more than $33.4 million in wages to some 1,500 people this year. Wilmott extended credit for the success of the casino to those employees. "We're very glad to be here to announce this great news, which wouldn't be possible without the employees," he said. In addition to the management contract extension announcement, Harrah's officials made available a new community review of their facility. Contained within are the results of an employee survey, which indicates that 71.5 percent of those responding said they have been able to get better health care because of their jobs; 48.5 percent purchased a new car in the last year; and 16 percent purchased new homes. In an average month, Harrah's employees reported eating in sit-down restaurants 2,027 times, eating in a fast food restaurant 2,510 times and getting takeout 1,717 times. Nearly 52 percent of employees responding said they have been able to stay in the area because of their jobs, and 52.3 percent said they have been able to spend more on groceries. Money management has become an issue for Harrah's employees, with 37 percent responding they have gotten out of debt as a result of their employment, 42 percent have increased their savings, while 21 percent have invested in stocks and bonds with earnings. "The tribe's permanent gaming facility has had a significant positive impact on the tribe, its members (who receive per capita checks as a result of casino profits) and the entire Western North Carolina economy," Jones said. "The tribe is very proud to own an enterprise that affords positive economic benefits to our members as well as to our neighbors." Harrah's Cherokee Casino currently has 60,000 square feet of gaming space with more than 2,400 machines. It also houses a 1,470-seat showroom. Employees respond to survey |
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