The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation has announced plans to build a Foxwoods-branded casino resort in southern Mississippi in partnership with local developer Biloxi Boardwalk Ventures and management firm The Hartmann Group.

The new Foxwoods Resort Casino At Biloxi Pointe is due to sit on 23 acres of land in the Back Bay area of Biloxi and offer gaming and non-gaming amenities including a 50,000 sq ft casino. The 781,000 sq ft development is to additionally feature a 500-room hotel, 71,000 sq ft of meeting and exhibition space, several dining options, retail space, a spa and outdoor entertainment attractions.

“This is an exciting opportunity to not only expand geographic diversification for the Foxwoods brand but also leverage our management expertise well beyond New England,” said Rodney Butler, Chairman for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council, which also operates the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.

The new Foxwoods Resort Casino At Biloxi Pointe is set to employ several thousand regional and local residents in construction, resort and gaming operations and is expected to open in the spring of 2019.

“Biloxi, Mississippi, is a proven destination tourism market with its near-perfect year-round climate, casual coastal vibe and exciting nightlife, all of which provides a perfect location to feature our world-class entertainment offerings,” said Felix Rappaport, President and Chief Executive Officer for Foxwoods Resort Casino.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation declared that the new $265 million casino resort will be “easily accessible from the metropolitan regions of New Orleans, Birmingham and Atlanta” and is set to deliver “an unparalleled gaming, leisure and meetings experience” to the over nine million people that live within a three-hour drive.

“The agreement with Foxwoods and The Hartmann Group fulfils a dream to develop this site and stimulate economic development by creating thousands of new construction and service jobs for the residents in the East Biloxi and regional communities,” said Chris Ferrara, Managing Member for Biloxi Boardwalk Ventures.

Biloxi mayor Andrew Gilich welcomed the announcement and stated that the development would enable the 5th Street extension to US 90 while completing the “casino loop” to Back Bay that “has been envisioned for years”.

“We’re encouraged by today’s announcement of preliminary plans for a new resort development in east Biloxi,” said Gilich. “This investment confirms what we have always felt; that Biloxi is the “right spot”.”