David Stewart, Cherokee Nation Enterprises Inc. (CNE) chief executive officer and a 1973 graduate of Sallisaw High School, was the guest speaker and talked to the crowd about the upcoming construction of the casino and about the gaming question up for election on the November ballot.
Stewart said the 25,000-square-foot casino will employ 120 people and will be open 24 hours a day and employ three full shifts. He said the new jobs will include positions for security guards, cooks, and tellers. He said the jobs pay well and have good benefits, with matching 401K plans, that rival some Fortune 500 companies. He said CNE gives hiring preference to Cherokee Indians and Native Americans.
Stewart said the casino will have a good environment for people to go for entertainment and dining.
"It's a good thing for Sallisaw," Stewart said.
CNE operates gaming enterprises within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation, which includes Sequoyah County. Stewart said CNE formed in the early 1990s and operated several bingo halls that were metal buildings.
"They weren't built for what CNE is doing today," Stewart said.
Consequently, each facility is in a different state of affairs, he said.
He said the Sallisaw Cherokee Casino won't be a metal building with trailers on the side, but will have a stucco-type exterior and a Native American interior theme.
"It will be a very nice facility," Stewart said
While the facility will not offer bingo, it will have 400 electronic games, live entertainment, and a restaurant. He also said beer will be served in limited areas.
Dwight Spencer, chamber president, said Friday that from a tourism aspect, he thinks the casino will have a good economic impact on Sallisaw. He said he hopes the casino will draw people to the city, making them want to stay in hotels, and shop and eat in the city. Spencer noted that it will also add over 100 new jobs for local residents.
"Hopefully it will do a lot of good and help us," Spencer said.
He said the casino, combined with the comeback of Blue Ribbon Downs racetrack, has the potential to help the city's retail business grow.
Spencer said he hopes that the casino is only the beginning of CNE projects in the community.
"Like any business venture, if it goes well, hopefully they will expand," Spencer said.
Stewart said CNE will start demolishing the current buildings on the casino land within 90 days, and is about one year to 15 months away from opening. The site is on the northwest corner of the intersection of Ruth Street and U.S. Highway 59. The Cherokee Nation already owned the trust land that the casino will be on, which has two service buildings. CNE purchased adjoining land, including the Southern Hearth Motel, which they will use for parking.
"I think it will be a place to go...a fun place to go," Stewart said.
CNE currently employs 1,100 people and at the end of 2004 expects to employ 1,600 people. Stewart said in 18 months, CNE hopes to employ 3,000 people.
CNE is currently planning major expansions at all Cherokee Casino facilities, including the casino in Roland.
Stewart said he wanted to apologize for the way the Roland facility looks. He said CNE has a contract in place to buy the truckstop next door to the Roland casino and are developing a master plan to have it remodeled. Stewart said CNE is awaiting the results of an environmental impact study of the site.
He said CNE hopes the Sallisaw casino will pull in people off Interstate 40, and once U.S. Highway 59 is widened to four lanes, the casino will draw people from Poteau.
He said the casino will be a reason to come to Sallisaw, when they do, they might stop and get gas, go to a restaurant, or stop and shop.
"It's proven that clusters generate more business for all the businesses in that cluster," Stewart said.
Stewart said CNE is a good community partner and will contribute to the city. He said he also hopes the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service will cross-deputize with local authorities to ensure a safe environment.
He said he thinks the partnership will bring in other businesses to the area, and provide economic benefits for Sallisaw.
"The entire (gaming) business in Oklahoma has changed with all the tribes," Stewart said. "It's a major economic driver."
Stewart said CNE is currently spending $80 million for the expansion of the Catoosa casino, which will double the size of the gaming floor, and include the addition of a 150-room hotel. They are also re-designing and re-constructing an 18-hole Perry Maxwell Signature golf course.
He said CNE is trying to change the culture of customer service from a bingo hall to a Las Vegas-type environment.
Stewart said in the upcoming Nov. 4 election, voters will have the opportunity to vote on State Question 712, which would provide a defined environment with what games can be played and could provide the potential of card tables.
He said the legislation would be a mechanism to rejuvenate the horseracing industry since it would allow gaming at racetracks. He said it would also provide money for education
Stewart said regardless of what happens on the state question, CNE is building the Sallisaw casino.
"Bottom line - We're here to stay. Voting no does not eliminate gaming in Oklahoma," Stewart said.
