Lumbee Tribe secures land by teasing North Carolina casino

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is securing 241 acres of land in Robeson County and has teased the idea of ​​a casino and resort in the release.

The update comes from Lumbee Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery, who discussed at length the process of purchasing land and land in trust, confirming that Lumbee Tribal Holdings (the tribe’s for-profit arm) has acquired the land and transferred it to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

He explains how « strategic » acquisition is done to secure land that can be used for long-term economic development initiatives that benefit people for generations to come. It comes days after Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris announced the tribe has filed for state recognition in North Carolina, ahead of a planned casino opening.

The future of the newly acquired land from the Lumbee tribe depends on the people

The actual purpose of the new site has yet to be determined, as the announcement suggests the decision will be made « at the will of the Lumbee people. »

The update went on to say that if and when the tribe votes on gaming, the 241-acre site could serve as the site for a casino and resort, accompanied by retail and additional amenities such as a golf course, Top Golf-style facility, water park or similar attractions.

However, if people vote against the games, the land could be developed into a business and industrial park designed to attract employers. It is estimated that each of these options could lead to the creation of thousands of jobs and « be an economic boom not only for our tribal territory, but for the entire region of the state. »

The Lumbee tribe is actually the largest in North Carolina and the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River, according to the Department of Administration.

Nevertheless, this property, along with the Lumbee Tribal Cultural Center, the Tribal Administration Building, and several other tribal assets, will eventually be placed in trust for the United States government.

The tribe says placing land in trust transfers title to the property to the federal government to hold on behalf of the tribe, eliminating the application of eminent domain and providing protections.

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