Ministers Say Casino Would Prey On The Poor
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KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC – There were prayers and petitions in Kings Mountain Tuesday night as faith leaders rallied to block a proposed casino in Cleveland County.
“All of the money in the world that would result in bringing a casino to this area is not worth this community selling its soul to have it,” said Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League.
Ministers delivered a petition to the Kings Mountain City Council signed by 75 local ministers asking council members to remove their names from a letter to the federal government in support of the Catawba Indian Nation’s proposed 220,000 square foot resort and casino off I-85 in Kings Mountain.
Developers say the casino would bring an estimated $349 million dollars into the area each year and create more than 4,000 jobs.
“They can hire more people at the casino, hire security guards. Just help with more jobs. There’s barely any jobs around here and I’m struggling now,” said Chris Chambers, a Kings Mountain resident.
Creech says the promise for more money and jobs isn’t worth promoting gambling addictions.
“If you decide to go in there, that’s your choice. Nobody is making you go in there. You go ’cause you want to go,” said Anita Chambers.
Developers point to the impact of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. With 3.6 million visitors a year, it’s the largest private attraction in North Carolina.
Visitors spent about $386 million dollars at Harrah’s in 2010 and 70 percent of visitors were from out-of-state.
“Maybe help around here with the economy and bring people from other states and other places into this community,” said Chambers.
The latest economic impact study reports Harrah’s pays $74.8 million dollars in wages and salaries to it’s approximate 1,674 employees.
The casino’s staff makes up five percent of the work force in Swain and Jackson Counties.
On Tuesday night, the ministers said the casino is only benefiting the tribe.
“Take a trip to Cherokee, North Carolina and look around and see much good Harrah’s has done for the community at large.”
The Catawba Indian Nation is waiting on the federal government to approve or deny the tribe’s application to put the land into federal trust.
The tribe tells WCCB Charlotte it has not been given a time line on that decision.
