Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel plans 500 new hires


Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel in North Carolina is recruiting 500 new workers to staff the newly-expanded resort, which expects to be offering live table games later this month.

The $650 million expansion project is one of the largest in the US, offering the greatest number of hotel accommodations in the Carolinas.

"We're pleased to announce that we're hiring 25 percent more employees than originally forecast," said Michell Hicks, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee (EBCI) that owns and operates the property. "These are high-paying jobs averaging $60,000 a year in wages and benefits. That equates to a $30 million infusion into the regional economy in western North Carolina."

Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel will have 100 traditional games available by late November along with a new 18,000 square foot spa. "The new, expanded complex will be a world-class resort, entertainment and tourist destination," said Harrah's Sr. vice president and general manager, Brooks Robinson. The addition of live dealers will attract new tourists, mostly from out of state.

In recent years, the Eastern Band has been widely recognized for its stewardship of gaming resources. The tribe has invested in additional jobs, new health care facilities and services, schools, infrastructure, as well as community and environmental improvements.