Legislators discussing four new casinos in NC

By Loretta Cozart

Albemarle donated 140 tons of sand to Habitat for Humanity in July.

Photo provided

Albemarle donates

140 tons of sand to Habitat for Humanity

By Loretta Cozart

In mid-July, Albemarle donated ten truckloads, roughly 140 tons, of sand to Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland County NC.

The sand will be used to fill and level the lots for new homes which will play an important role in providing stable housing for families in Cleveland County. “At Albe- marle, having a sustainable impact on our community is elemental,” Albemarle shared on their Facebook page.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing organization that demonstrates care by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support an organization that is dedicated to caring for people through their work in sustainable and transformative development,” Albemarle shared.

Last week, WRAL news obtained a draft bill that would award one company rights to develop three casinos in NC as part of a $1.5 billion dollar investment in the state. The istered by the Secretary of Commerce. The purpose of the program is to encourage and promote tourism in rural counties on the State border and along major transportation corridors. ties and employment opportunities are being lost to the state.”

Lumbee Tribe would manage a fourth casino, according to Legislators, even though they currently do not have federal recognition giving them the ability to do so.

TIM MOORE House Speaker

The Lumbee Fairness Act was introduced by Senator Tom Tillis in February of this year, and it still awaits federal recognition.

The proposed bill, which was made public by WRAL states, “There is established the Rural Tourism Incentive Program to be admin-

“The program will allow for Gaming, which is a new and expanding component of the tourism industry and is currently allowed in North Carolina on certain Indian lands. As many contiguous states allow gaming, those industry business opportuni-

In addition to the $1.5 billion dollar investment the three casinos would bring the state, applying companies must also invest at least five hundred million dollars in each district. And to be considered, applying companies must also pay a proposal fee of $25,000,000. If an applicant is accepted, their deposit will be credited to the excise

See CASINOS, Page 8A

PICKIN’ AT THE PARK AT KINGS MOUNTAIN’S PATRIOTS PARK ON THURSDAY EVENING – Pickin’ at the Park will be held each Thursday starting at 6 pm. All pickers are welcome, so dust off that banjo (guitar, fiddle, or mandolin) and join other musicians for some fun on Thursday evening. This is a free event. If you don’t play and instrument but enjoy acoustic music, feel free to bring a chair and listen. For more information on Pickin’ At The Park, contact the City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department at 704-730-2101, or the Cleveland County Music Hall of Fame at 704-860-4068.

Photo by Angela Padgett