KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. — A $700 million project in Kings Mountain is finally breaking ground Friday.
The Catawba Nation is getting ready to build a brand new Two Kings Casino and Resort.
The groundbreaking of the permanent Two Kings Casino was previously delayed due to a lawsuit between the Catawba Nation and the former casino developer over the ground lease for the land. Then in May, the Catawba Nation settled with Sky Boat Gaming for an unknown amount.
The 17 acres of land along I-85 are now being filled with hard hats, construction work, and a dream one step closer to reality.
“It’s going to be a premiere destination for many of the folks around," Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris said.
The casino has other impacts on the area, including the expansion of the Dixon School Road Bridge over I-85 to accommodate increased traffic and the installation of new sewer lines.
City leaders, including Kings Mountain Mayor Rob Wagman, are looking forward to adding this attraction to North Carolina.
“The economic future for this area is probably unreached in our thought process," Wagman said.
“These economic dollars will help sustain housing, healthcare, and education, that way our tribal members will be able to grow up with the things I never had or had the opportunity to see," Chief Harris added.
Andre Adams is looking forward to the future this project will create for the Catawba Nation.
“Our dreams are becoming a reality," Adams said. "To celebrate Indigenous people and our culture, our heritage, it really makes you feel good inside. So we embrace that.”
Catawba Nation released the following statement about Two Kings Casino:
“We persevered to achieve a fair deal so that we can now realize the full financial and economic benefits of the project for Catawba Nation members and residents of Cleveland County. The establishment of this casino is not just about bricks and mortar; it symbolizes our commitment to preserving our tribal identity, supporting our community and creating opportunities for our people. This project will not only generate revenue for our tribe but also provide jobs, education and social programs that will benefit our members and the surrounding region. These jobs, including construction jobs, along with increased patron traffic, will provide local governments and the state of North Carolina with additional tax revenue and other investments under our compact. The Catawba are working to keep casino revenue in North Carolina as opposed to what outside commercial casino companies would do."
It will take two phases to complete the permanent structure, the first of which is expected to be finished in early 2026. The project is expected to create 2,000 new jobs when it's done.
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