Picture This, June 2012 — Double down
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - Construction nears completion on the Cherokee casino's $650 million bid to be more than a one-stop gambling shop.
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - The expansion to the Cherokee resort and casino includes a new sky bridge that will lead to Mandara Spa.
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is betting the casino's expansion into a destination resort will pay off.
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - The casino project is the largest hospitality venture under way in the Southeast, with a 532-room tower being added as part of the plan.
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - Plans for the casino include four restaurants, a VIP lounge, spa and digital-poker rooms.
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - Crews demolished the former Fresh Market Square restaurant to make way for the new VIP lounge.
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - The casino's expansion is expected to add 700 jobs to the 1,700 it has.
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - Harrah's is the largest employer in western North Carolina, with 1,700 workers.
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - Economists estimated Harrah's Cherokee casino pumped $386 million into a seven-county region of western North Carolina in 2010.
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - Harrah's is expected to add live dealers soon after reaching an agreement with lawmakers.
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - Harrah's manages the casnio for the Cherokees for an undisclosed percentage of revenue, estimated at about 5%.
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - An aerial view of the expanding Cherokee casino.
- Business North Carolina/Mike Belleme - The expanded casino includes a grand new rotunda.
