Press Release
June 5, 2001
CHOCTAW RESERVATION, MS -- The first of 26 elevated concrete slabs was recently poured to begin revealing the dynamic
design of The Golden Moon Hotel and Casino.
The hotel, expected to open in late 2002, is part of the Pearl River Resort, which will represent a nearly $750
million investment when expansion is complete.
The Golden Moon, designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica, will be a classic flowing structure that starts low at
one end, winds around the casino area and gradually peaks with a brightly lit moon-like sphere that will sit 310
feet above ground level and can be seen for miles. Cascading curtains of water will surround the outside base of
the building.
``The cement pour for The Golden Moon is a tangible sign that our dream of developing one of the finest resort
destinations in the country is well on its way to becoming a reality,'' said Chief Phillip Martin, Mississippi
Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI).
The property will soar 30-stories above the Mississippi landscape, span approximately 840,000 square feet, feature
572 guest rooms, a health spa, restaurants, bars and other entertainment options. The 90,000 square foot casino
floor will offer 24-hour Las Vegas-style gaming, including the latest in slots, table games and poker.
Slidell, La.-based Baker Concrete is responsible for the estimated 30,000 cubic yards of concrete needed to complete
the superstructure. The elevated slabs will be poured over approximately nine to 10 months and will require more
than 3,700 truckloads of cement. Baker will use sophisticated laser technology to ensure that each 8-inch thick
slab is level.
About the Pour
About Pearl River Resort
Building on the phenomenal success of its existing Silver Star Hotel and Casino and the Dancing Rabbit Golf Course,
Pearl River Resort will represent an estimated $750 million family vacation destination in Neshoba County, Miss.
Pearl River Resort -- the only resort development of its kind on an Indian reservation -- will be a world-class
gaming and entertainment destination featuring deluxe accommodations, Las Vegas-style gaming, exciting shows and
attractions, a recreational lake, award-winning golf and a full range of resort services.
About the Tribe
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, a federally recognized tribe, owns and operates a portfolio of 15 manufacturing,
service, retail and tourism enterprises, the success of which has facilitated self-reliance and astounding growth
for its members, while also providing an economic boost to the communities surrounding the reservation.
Throughout Mississippi, the Southeast and Mexico, MBCI provides more than 6,700 permanent, full-time jobs for tribal
members and others (more than 65 percent of its workforce is non-Indian). With an annual payroll of more than $123.7
million, the tribe is one of the 10th largest employers in Mississippi. In addition, tribal revenues have helped
the Choctaw to invest more than $210 million in economic development.
Headquartered on reservation land adjacent to Philadelphia, Miss., the tribal government is responsible for providing
its 8,300 members with education, health care, job training, housing, police and fire protection, tribal courts,
utilities and other community infrastructure. Tribal members reside in seven non-contiguous communities dispersed
over 30,000 acres in Mississippi.
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Contact:
MBCI
Creda Stewart, 601/650-1537
or
Douglas Cohn & Wolfe
Kimberly Shepard/Elizabeth Heaton Murphy, 310/967-2900