Muscogee Nation Breaks Ground on $100M Casino and Hotel in Coweta

The Muscogee Nation has officially begun construction on a new casino and hotel in Coweta, Oklahoma, marking a $100 million investment expected to provide substantial economic growth for the local community and tribe. The highly anticipated development, spearheaded by Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, will encompass a 104,000-square-foot complex featuring a 750-machine casino, a 46-room hotel, a full-service restaurant, and meeting spaces.

Pat Crofts, CEO of Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, cited by Fox23 News, highlighted the projected benefits of the venture, emphasizing that it would bring approximately 250 permanent jobs to Coweta upon completion. Crofts noted that during the construction phase alone, the project is expected to inject more than $100 million into the local economy, with an estimated annual impact of around $50 million thereafter. “We’re going to generate 250 new permanent positions,” Crofts stated. “It’s going to generate a lot of jobs, generate a lot of interest, just be a really nice help for the city here.”

Economic Growth and Community Impact

The Muscogee Nation aims for the casino and hotel to serve as a catalyst for sustained economic development in Coweta. In addition to the permanent jobs created, the project is expected to attract tourists and boost spending in the area, offering potential benefits for local businesses. The addition of amenities like the full-service restaurant and flexible meeting spaces will cater to both locals and visitors, enhancing the city’s appeal as a regional destination.

While the new development holds promise for Coweta’s economic landscape, the project has faced a mix of responses from local residents. Initially, the casino proposal was met with skepticism from some in the community who were uncertain about its potential impact. Concerns ranged from changes to Coweta’s character to the fear of increased traffic and strain on local infrastructure. “We got some negative publicity at the very beginning, and as people started to figure out what the project is, we’ve gotten an awful lot of really positive feedback,” Crofts explained. He added that the casino complex, though sizable, won’t have the scale of larger venues like River Spirit, and reassured residents that it’s designed to complement, not overshadow, the local area.

A coalition named Residents Against Creek Nation Casino in Coweta has voiced concerns, launching a petition to reconsider the scale of the project. The group’s objections centered on potential social and economic issues often associated with casinos, such as increased crime rates, domestic issues, and homelessness. They have proposed an alternative approach, suggesting the Muscogee Nation consider developing a hotel and restaurant without the casino component. The coalition argued this would allow the community to benefit economically while avoiding the possible downsides linked to casino operations.