The Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise (CRDE) broke ground on a new 18,000-square-foot travel plaza that will be located in Louisville.
The plaza will have 150 slot machines, a sportsbook lounge, 3,000 square feet of retail space, a family-friendly restaurant, and fueling stations for commercial and passenger vehicles.
In addition, the 24/7 travel plaza will be set on 18 acres of Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians reservation land, the Crystal Ridge Community, located in the city limits of Louisville.
“This project has been discussed for some time and today it is great to see it come to fruition as we break ground,” said Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben. “This is a new project for CRDE that represents business growth for our Tribe. I am excited for both the Crystal Ridge community nearby and for the Winston County/City of Louisville community. We have a wonderful working relationship and as Tribal Chief for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, it is a great moment for me that we can work together to collectively better provide for our people.”
Several Mississippi officials were in attendance with Tribal dignitaries, including representatives from the City of Louisville, Governor Tate Reeves’ office, and Congressman Michael Guest’s office.
Chief Ben added that a Tribal-wide contest will be held at a later date to give a permanent name to replace the project’s current title, the Louisville Travel Plaza.
The $25 million project is expected to employ approximately 100 people. The facility is anticipated to open in the summer of 2024.
