During a special meeting on Friday, 16 out of 17 members of the Choctaw Tribal Council voted to approve Resolution CHO 17-033, which allows for expansion into the Red Water community in Leake County, Mississippi, according to a tribal press release (pdf) dated January 27, 2017.

The move by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians to expand its gaming operations into Leake County was approved in a 9-7 vote by the 16 council members present at the meeting who represented all Choctaw communities.

According to the press release, the new Red Water Casino should be completed in about a year or so and will provide upwards of 200 new jobs. The new 35,800 square foot gaming venue will offer 500 slots and 10 live table games, along with quick eats and seated dining.

Tribal Chief Phyliss J. Anderson said in the press release the project is a win for the tribe, and “The Red Water Casino will bring new jobs and more revenue to our growing population. We must invest in our future; opportunities do not stand still and wait. I am very thankful to the members of our council that support this project and believe in moving our Tribe forward.”

The only federally recognized tribe in the State of Mississippi, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, through its Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise Incorporated, owns and operates the Silver Star Hotel & Casino and the Golden Moon Casino at Neshoba County’s Pearl River Resort as well as the Bok Homa Casino in Jones County along with numerous small business endeavors, and last year spent $70 million on renovations.

The tribe, that has an enrolled membership of upwards of 10,800 people, successfully refinanced its gaming debt late last year after reporting an increase in annual revenues of $11 million and a $2 million rise in overall profits.