The Golden Moon Hotel and Casino is cutting back its operation to three days a week, meaning the loss of hundreds of jobs. It cited a number of factors as reasons, including "the country's economic recession, a nationwide decline in gaming industry revenues and over-expansion of the Resort relative to the size of the market it serves".
Pearl River Resort confirmed Monday that the business cut 570 non-tribal employees. The operation will only be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The Pearl River Resort is owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Its properties include the original Silver Star Hotel and Casino. The Golden Moon was added later.
According to a news release, revenues at Silver Star remain strong; however, the company said the newer Golden Moon has strained Resort earnings since the day it opened in 2002.
The Silver Star will continue its regular 7-days-per week schedule, and the Dancing Rabbit Golf Club and Geyser Falls will operate under their normal schedules.
Officials said Miko Beasley Denson, after defeating long-time incumbent Phillip Martin, analyzed the tribe's operations and found the Golden Moon was poorly planned and an over-expansion for the market size.
"The changes announced today will streamline the operations of the Resort for the market we need to serve," said Pearl River Resort CEO, General Paul Harvey. "Silver Star was and continues to be a strong business; however, the decision to build the Golden Moon, championed by the prior Tribal administration and Resort management, has overextended the Tribe financially. The Golden Moon has dragged down profits for the entire Resort operation since it opened. Additionally, this situation has hampered the Resort's ability to make the distributions to Tribal government that fund services provided to Tribal members. We are focused on ensuring that Pearl River Resort continues to be a financially successful operation and we are confident that these measures will prove to be beneficial to our customers, employees, vendors, financial stakeholders and members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians."
The cutbacks do not include any tribal members. The release said Miko Denson ran on the platform of 'Choctaw First' and "has worked hard to sustain existing jobs for Tribal members during this economic downturn".
The Resort said it will make career counseling and job placement services available to all employees affected by the staff reduction.