He said the existing Wetumpka operation employs 435 and will employ about 1,000 when the hotel and casino open. Williamson said the Wind Creek Atmore led to the construction of two chain motels and some fast-food restaurants nearby. People coming there are going to have anything they want there,' he said. 'Other than more traffic, I don't expect to see anything. But a downtown merchant, Donald Carey, owner of We-2 Gifts and Awards, isn't optimistic because the hotel offers five restaurants from fast food to white table cloth and has other amenities designed to keep people on site.

Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis declined comment on the impact of the hotel and casino because he is trying to negotiate an agreement with the tribe concerning services. A $25 million parking deck is not on tribal land and will pay property taxes, Williamson said.

The hotel and casino won't pay sales, lodging and property taxes because they are on traditional tribal land. Wetumpka, with more than 7,100 people, is 12 miles northeast of Montgomery. He said the tribe has begun advertising in Atlanta, Birmingham and Huntsville. Williamson said the old casino attracted people mostly within a 75-mile radius, but the tribe expects the new casino and hotel to draw from a much wider area. It will replace a smaller casino the Creeks have operated next door with 1,182 games. Williamson said the entire project cost $250 million. There are no table games like the Mississippi casinos have. The casino only has electronic games that Williamson describes as electronic bingo. The centerpiece of the casino is a 16,000-gallon shark tank designed by the crew from the Animal Planet show 'Tank.' 'The views are pretty incredible,' he said. All hotel rooms are facing the Coosa River, which flows alongside the hotel and casino. Project director Rob Lee of the Hnedak Bobo Group of Memphis, Tenn., said the curving designs throughout the hotel and casino represent the flow of wind and water.

The $250 million project will replace a 1,182-game casino next door.

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