KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. (AP) — Gov. Pat McCrory says he has strong concerns about a Native American tribe's plans to build a gambling casino on land along a busy North Carolina interstate.
The South Carolina-based Catawba Indian Nation has filed an application with federal officials to buy 16 acres near Kings Mountain for a planned gambling casino the tribe says would create thousands of new jobs. That was the first step in a long process to build a casino just across the border from South Carolina in North Carolina.
Officials in economically strapped Cleveland County support the plan but many North Carolina lawmakers oppose it.
McCrory said Friday he hasn't seen an argument that justifies building the casino.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians already operates a bustling casino in western North Carolina.
Business owners think casino would be good for Cleveland Co.
Local business owners are reacting to Gov. Pat McCrory's stance about a possible new casino in Cleveland County.
They told Eyewitness News McCrory has it wrong and they think the casino would be great thing for the county and North Carolina.
Earlier this week, Eyewitness News told you the South Carolina-based Catawba Indian Nation filed an application with federal officials to buy a 16-acre plot in Kings Mountain. They say the casino could generate and support more than 4,000 jobs.
"I'd be the first in line," resident Chris Hale said.
People in Cleveland County told us they'd like the entertainment, and business owners told us it could boost the economy, putting people back to work.
"It's going to create a lot of jobs, especially for the youngsters," business owner Matiaz Khan said.
A recent economic impact study says there are more than 24,000 unemployed people in Cleveland County, and the casino would bring over 4,000 long-term jobs.
"That is fantastic," business owner Ilesh Shah said. "Everybody should support this."
"We need it," Khan said. "We really need it."
But McCrory says he hasn't seen an argument that justifies building it. And he's not alone. More than a hundred House members of both parties signed a letter last week to the federal government opposing any attempt by a tribe outside of North Carolina to build a casino here.
The Catawba Indian Tribe does not have federal land granted in this state. But business owners we talked to say the development is desperately needed.
"This spot was really neglected for a long time, and we can generate a lot of income not only for the county but for the state," Khan said.
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