A ribbon-cutting ceremony held recently by the Choctaw Nation celebrated the completion of a $50 million expansion project at the tribe’s Choctaw Casino and Resort in Grant.
One of eight primary locations in Southeastern Oklahoma, the Choctaw Nation’s Grant casino now features a new 96-room and suite hotel, as well as an additional 100 slot machines, a new five-table poker room, a pair of new restaurants including the only Chili’s Grill & Bar located in a casino in the U.S., an expanded buffet to include 48 additional seats and a pool that is open exclusively to hotel guests.
According to the report from local station KXII Fox News 12, officials of the Choctaw Nation say the thing they are most proud of is what the addition brings to the region’s economy.
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma‘s Division of Commerce SEO T. R. Kanuch reportedly said, “There’s tons of amenities and tons of casinos that people can go to and so when they make a choice, we want them to come see us.”
Explaining what the expansion means to the economy, Chief Gary Batton said, “In southeastern Oklahoma, we have the highest unemployment rate, we have the highest poverty rates and so as we can grow these areas, bring more money into this economy, of course that creates more jobs.”
The Choctaw Nation broke ground on the major expansion on August 18, 2016 and in addition to the other amenities, the renovation also features tribal member’s official artwork commissioned for the newly expanded space.
In addition to its eight primary gaming venues, the Choctaw Nation own and operate 11 Casino Too’s, which are located within Choctaw Travel Plazas and host a small number of electronic gaming machines.