After months of speculation and anticipation, the Cherokee Nation has finally been awarded a license to build a casino in Pope County, Arkansas. The decision comes after a long and heated battle between the Cherokee Nation and their competitor, the Kehl Management Group. The Cherokee Nation’s proposal was ultimately chosen over the Kehl Management Group’s, which was deemed “incomplete” by the Arkansas Racing Commission.
The Cherokee Nation’s casino, which will be located in Russellville, is set to be a state-of-the-art gaming facility that will generate millions in revenue for the state of Arkansas. The tribe has been working tirelessly to secure the license and is thrilled with the decision.
“We are extremely grateful to the Arkansas Racing Commission for choosing us to build a casino in Pope County,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our tribe and will bring much-needed economic development to the area.”
The Kehl Management Group, on the other hand, was left disappointed and frustrated by the decision. The group had submitted a proposal for a casino in Pope County, but it was rejected by the Racing Commission due to missing information and incomplete paperwork.
“We are deeply disappointed by the Racing Commission’s decision to award the license to the Cherokee Nation,” said Kehl Management Group CEO Dan Kehl. “We believe that our proposal was strong and competitive, and we will be exploring all of our options moving forward.”
The decision to award the license to the Cherokee Nation has sparked controversy and debate in the state. Some have praised the tribe for their commitment to economic development and job creation, while others have criticized the Racing Commission for their handling of the application process.
Despite the controversy, the Cherokee Nation is moving forward with their plans to build the casino in Russellville. Construction is set to begin in the coming months, and the tribe hopes to have the facility up and running by next year.
“We are excited to get started on this project and to bring new opportunities to the people of Pope County,” said Chief Hoskin. “We are committed to working closely with the community to ensure that this casino is a success for everyone involved.”