Catawba Nation Breaks Ground on Core Structures for Two Kings Permanent Facility in North Carolina

The Catawba Nation initiated construction on essential infrastructure for its permanent Two Kings facility near Kings Mountain in August 2026, marking a shift from temporary operations to full-scale development on the 16-acre site along Interstate 85.

Officials from the tribe coordinated with state and local partners to turn the first soil for foundations, utility systems, and primary structural elements that will support the expanded casino resort, hotel towers, and entertainment venues planned for the location.

Project Background and Timeline

Development of the Two Kings site began after the Catawba Nation secured federal land-into-trust approval in 2020, followed by a compact with North Carolina that authorized Class III gaming activities; construction of the initial temporary facility opened in 2021, while planners advanced designs for the permanent complex that now moves forward with concrete work and steel framing scheduled through late 2027.

State records show the project received all necessary environmental permits and zoning clearances from Cleveland County before crews arrived on site in early August 2026, allowing crews to focus on the core structures rather than preliminary site preparation already completed in prior phases.

Scope of Core Structures Underway

Groundbreaking activities center on the main casino floor foundation, a multi-level parking structure, and the central utility plant that will supply power, water, and HVAC services across the resort; engineers have divided the work into sequenced phases so that gaming areas reach completion first while hotel and convention wings follow in subsequent stages.

Construction documents filed with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality list reinforced concrete slabs, stormwater management basins, and electrical substations as the initial elements crews poured and installed during the first weeks of activity.

Economic and Employment Details

Project estimates released by the Catawba Nation indicate the permanent facility will support roughly 1,200 construction positions during peak building periods and sustain 2,800 permanent jobs once the resort operates at full capacity; local hiring preferences and training partnerships with community colleges in the Charlotte region form part of the workforce plan.

According to data from the National Indian Gaming Commission, tribal gaming facilities across the Southeast have generated increasing revenues that fund community services, and the Two Kings expansion aligns with similar growth patterns observed in other compact jurisdictions.

Cleveland County economic development reports project additional indirect benefits through supplier contracts and increased tourism traffic along the interstate corridor, although those projections remain subject to final occupancy rates after opening.

Regulatory and Community Coordination

The Catawba Nation maintains ongoing consultations with the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs and federal oversight bodies to ensure compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act throughout construction; quarterly progress reports submitted to state regulators detail safety metrics and environmental monitoring results.

Community meetings held in Kings Mountain and Shelby during 2025 addressed traffic mitigation measures and public safety protocols that will accompany the larger permanent facility, with agreements in place for road improvements funded jointly by the tribe and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Future Phases and Milestones

After the core structures reach structural completion, crews will shift attention to interior fit-out, gaming equipment installation, and landscaping around the resort perimeter; the tribe has targeted a phased opening beginning with the casino floor in 2028 and full resort operations the following year.

Design renderings shared publicly show a 100,000-square-foot gaming space, multiple hotel towers totaling 800 rooms, and an events center capable of hosting large-scale performances and conferences.

Conclusion

The August 2026 groundbreaking on core structures represents the next concrete step in the Catawba Nation’s long-term investment at the Two Kings site, building directly on earlier approvals and temporary operations. Construction progress will continue under established regulatory frameworks while local workforce programs and infrastructure upgrades proceed in tandem with building schedules.