Catawba Indian Nation Marks Milestone with Kings Mountain Casino Opening While Confirming Additional North Carolina Projects

The Catawba Indian Nation held a ribbon-cutting event on or around July 1, 2026 for the initial phase of its Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and the tribe simultaneously confirmed plans for two more casino facilities within the state. Chief Brian Harris addressed attendees at the ceremony and stated that identified sites exist for the additional projects while expressing determination to complete them. The $1.2 billion development continues toward its full permanent resort opening targeted for spring 2027. Observers note that the July 2026 event highlighted steady progress on a tribal initiative that has drawn attention across the region. Construction crews completed the first phase structures and the tribe opened portions of the property to the public on the scheduled date. Harris delivered remarks that included the declaration “We got two more casinos to build in this state, and hot dammit we’re going to build them,” according to coverage in the Charlotte Observer.

Details of the Phase One Opening

The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the Kings Mountain location and served as the official launch for the resort’s first operational segment. Attendees included tribal leadership, construction partners, and local officials who observed the transition from development to active operations. The phase one facilities represent a portion of the overall $1.2 billion investment and provide initial gaming, hospitality, and support services while crews continue work on remaining structures.

Project records show that the full permanent resort will incorporate expanded amenities once completed in spring 2027. The timeline allows the tribe to begin generating revenue from the early phase while final construction proceeds on schedule. Harris emphasized that the identified sites for the two additional casinos position the nation to expand its presence in North Carolina beyond the current Kings Mountain project.

Expansion Plans and Site Identification

During the ceremony Harris confirmed that the tribe has already located suitable properties for the next two casinos. The announcement came directly from tribal leadership and tied the future developments to the momentum created by the Kings Mountain opening. No specific locations or opening dates for the additional facilities were released at the event, yet the statement established clear intent to move forward once planning and approvals advance.

Those following the project note that the tribe’s approach combines immediate operations with longer-term growth. The $1.2 billion Kings Mountain resort functions as the foundation for subsequent facilities that will operate under the same tribal authority. Harris’s remarks framed the additional casinos as part of an ongoing commitment rather than separate initiatives.

Project Timeline and Development Context

Construction on the Kings Mountain resort began prior to the 2026 ribbon-cutting and will continue through the targeted spring 2027 completion date for the permanent facility. The phased approach enables the tribe to open revenue-generating operations while final elements such as additional gaming floors, hotel towers, and entertainment venues reach completion. Records indicate that the initial phase includes core gaming areas and support infrastructure sufficient for early operations.

The overall development carries a $1.2 billion price tag and represents one of the larger tribal casino investments in the southeastern United States. The timeline from July 2026 through spring 2027 provides roughly nine months for remaining construction and fit-out work. Tribal statements released around the ribbon-cutting event reiterated that the two future casinos will follow similar planning and approval processes once the current project stabilizes.

Statements from Tribal Leadership

Chief Brian Harris spoke directly to the significance of the July 2026 milestone while outlining the tribe’s broader vision. His comments at the ceremony connected the opening of the first phase to the identified sites for additional casinos and underscored the tribe’s readiness to advance those projects. The statement “We got two more casinos to build in this state, and hot dammit we’re going to build them” captured the tone of determination conveyed during the event.

Other tribal representatives present at the ribbon-cutting echoed the focus on steady expansion. They highlighted that the Kings Mountain location serves as both an operational launch point and a demonstration of the tribe’s capacity to deliver large-scale projects on schedule. The combination of immediate progress and announced future sites created a clear narrative of continued development within North Carolina.

Conclusion

The July 2026 ribbon-cutting at the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort marked the transition from construction to operations for the first phase of a $1.2 billion tribal project in Kings Mountain. Chief Brian Harris used the occasion to confirm that sites for two additional North Carolina casinos have been identified and that the tribe intends to build them. The full permanent resort remains on track for a spring 2027 opening, while planning for the next facilities moves forward under the same leadership. The announcement ties current achievements to a longer sequence of developments that will shape the tribe’s gaming presence across the state.