After breaking ground in April 2023, the Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise (CRDE), owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, has decided the official name of its soon-to-be-opened travel plaza is “Crystal Sky.” According to the recent press release, the nearby Crystal Ridge tribal community in Winston County served as the inspiration for the name.

Tribal competition to decide on the permanent name of the property:

During the groundbreaking ceremony held last spring for the development, the contest to name the travel plaza was unveiled by Chief Cyrus Ben, where members of the Tribe were invited to submit their ideas for a fitting moniker. A name that would not only reflect the natural beauty of the surroundings but also the spirit of the community.

Furthermore, the said contest generated an incredible number of responses, with 258 proposals. Then, following the significant rounds of review and voting, the official name – Crystal Sky – was chosen. In addition, the final ruling was made jointly by the board members of the Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise and the Tribal Council.

The winning submission, which managed to capture the vision and essence of the facility, was created by the tribal member Dachelle E. of Louisville, MS. In gratitude, Dachelle will get a monetary reward for her contribution to the community and creativity.

Commenting on the chosen name, Chief Cyrus Ben reportedly said: “As we unveil the name of our travel plaza, I am filled with gratitude. This endeavor isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about weaving connections. Crystal Sky will not only serve travelers passing through, but will also uplift the Louisville/Winston County area and honor the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.”

Layout of the proposed facility:

Crystal Sky Travel Plaza will be an 18,000-square-foot facility and will feature 150 slot machines, a sportsbook lounge, 3,000 square feet of retail space, a family friendly restaurant and fueling stations for commercial and passenger vehicles. It will be open 24/7 and will be found on 18 acres of land on the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation, Crystal Ridge Community, found within the Louisville city limits. In addition, the development is reportedly worth $25 million and is projected to employ nearly 100 people.

Also, Chief Ben thinks Louisville is able to lure a lot of customers.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, commenting on the project, Chief Cyrus Ben commented that before the project started, it had been discussed for some time. The main goal behind Crystal Sky is the desire for business growth for the Tribe.

The soon-to-open travel plaza adds to portfoilio of casino properties managed by the CRDE, which includes Silver Star Hotel & Casino, Golden Moon Hotel & Casino, and Bok Homa Casino.