Under the Economic Development Agreement between Cherokee Nation Businesses LLC and Pope County:
- There is a target to have 3% of positions filled by individuals who have one or more disabilities.
- There will a full-time employee certified as an addiction counselor or a contract with Pope County non-profit to provide addiction counseling services.
- $13/hr minimum wage, except for employees who receive gratuities as part of their regular compensation.
What Caleb McMahon, director of economic development said about the new Pine Bluff casino resort also applies to Legends Resort & Casino, Arkansas.
Quoted in a THV11, January 28, 2019, article, the Jefferson County director of economic development said he couldn’t be happier.
He said the new casino is the equivalent of 1,000 new jobs falling from the sky. That’ll be enough to put the casino among the county’s top five employers — a list that includes Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Tyson Foods and the state Department of Correction.
The casino would be a shot in the arm to a county that’s seen population declines and economic stagnation.