(Carolina Journal) – Seven months after receiving full federal recognition, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has officially voted not to move forward with a proposed casino development off I-95 in Robeson County.
According to unofficial results from the Lumbee Tribe Elections Board, voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposed amendment, with roughly 62% voting against it. The measure received 3,363 votes in favor and 5,553 votes opposed.
Tribal Chairman John Lowery, who also represents Robeson County as a Republican in the North Carolina General Assembly, expressed disappointment in the vote but noted the people have spoken.
“A majority of the Lumbee people have spoken, and they have said no to progress and have decided to stay with the status quo or simply staying with the way things are,” Lowery wrote. “As a federally recognized Indian tribe, we had the opportunity, like so many of our brother and sister tribes, to exercise our sovereign rights to the fullest and generate billions of dollars to assist our tribal members and lift this entire region. This decision by the majority of Lumbee voters is historic and ensures we will not move forward with gaming.”
The proposed amendment would have created a constitutional framework for gaming within the Lumbee Tribe. The measure would have authorized tribal leaders to negotiate gaming compacts, regulate gaming operations, and oversee any future gaming enterprises. It also would have removed a requirement that gaming-related ordinances receive approval from the tribe’s general membership through a referendum, instead placing that authority with tribal leadership.
Under tribal rules, referendums require participation from at least 30% of eligible tribal members to be valid. Constitutional amendments, however, only require a simple majority of votes cast and are not subject to any minimum participation threshold.
Supporters of the project estimate the casino could create between 2,750 and 3,500 full-time jobs, with priority hiring given to Lumbee tribal members. Salaries were projected to range from approximately $45,000 to more than $300,000 annually depending on the position.
Under federal law, gaming revenues would be dedicated to specific purposes, including tribal government operations, education, healthcare, housing, rehabilitation programs, public safety initiatives, economic development projects, charitable contributions, and programs that benefit tribal members. Because tribal gaming revenue is not subject to federal or state income taxes, the tribe would keep all earnings generated by the casino.
Lowery, said that he will support the majority opinion and not bring the issue forward again before his term expires.
The Lumbee Tribe received full federal recognition in December. Shortly afterward, the tribe purchased approximately 240 acres along Interstate 95 for $6 million as the site of the proposed casino and entertainment complex.
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