Navajo Nation Sets up New Casino Project near Flagstaff

A new casino by the Navajo Nation in Arizona, located north of Flagstaff is going to create new jobs, raise vital proceeds for the Tribe and the state. The property will use a lot of nearly 14 acres of land located northeast of the city and will mark the second Navajo casino in the Flagstaff area.

The Casino Will Create New Jobs

To build the casino, the Navajo Nation had to transfer the land into trust. This process was completed back in November and since the land is recognized as a part of the Navajo Reservation, the Tribe can now legally build a casino on it.

 The aforementioned lot is a total of 13.79 acres, and it was formerly the home of the Flying Heart Stables and Horsemen Lodge Steakhouse. The latter is a property with a rich heritage, considering it opened in 1975 but unfortunately closed its doors in 2020, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, Navajo Nation’s president, Buu Nygren, who was interviewed by Flagstaff Business News, uncovered details regarding the new project. He predicted that the construction of the second Navajo casino is going to create more than 300 jobs.

Once completed and opened, the venue would also deliver more than 100 permanent jobs, Nygren explained. He pointed to the importance of those job opportunities, adding that they will significantly help the Navajo Nation, addressing its unemployment rate which is currently close to 50%.

“Of greatest significance are the jobs it will create. Unemployment on the Navajo Nation remains at nearly 50%. We anticipate construction will create more than 300 jobs and more than 100 permanent jobs upon completion.“

Navajo Nation president Buu Nygren

The Second Navajo Casino Will Bring Economic Stimulus

At the second Navajo casino for the Flagstaff area, the Tribe would be permitted to operate up to 300 gambling machines. According to Nygren, the Navajo Nation will team up with the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise. The latter would be responsible for the development of the new gambling venue.

Nygren revealed how the Navajo Nation chose the lot which is located on US 89. He explained that the key location of the new casino is on a tourist route to Lake Powell, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon. “The Navajo Nation continues to diversify our economic development and build up more tourism opportunities since the closure of the Navajo Generating Station and the impact on tribal revenue,” he added.

While the casino will help generate revenue for the Tribe, which will benefit its Diné Relocatee Fund, it will also create proceeds for Arizona. Nygren pointed to the complexity of the project, adding that he cannot currently speculate how long the completion of the casino will take. Explaining that there will be gaming activities at the new venue, he refrained from disclosing a timeframe regarding the completion of the project. Still, the Tribe anticipates reopening the Horsemen Lodge Steakhouse as a part of the new project.