It’s been called “The Tunica Miracle”—and
for very good reason. In 1998, Tunica County Administrator
Ken Murphree was called to testify before the National
Gambling Impact Study Commission. “This is a story
about economic development, about a county which was statistically
one of the most impoverished counties in the United States,
about a county for which the gaming industry provided
the opportunity to reverse its fortune,” Murphree
told the Commission. “I am proud to say that this
is a true success story.”
In a statement released by the Tunica County Convention
and Visitors Bureau, Murphree adds, “What happened
in Tunica County probably can’t be duplicated, because
of where we came from and how much development occurred
in such a short time. It’s rare to have this much
investment put into an area so quickly. It’s truly
a unique situation that probably won’t ever happen
again—that is, to jump-start a county’s development
from a blank and desperate slate and quickly transform
it into a thriving, profitable community.”
What makes Tunica County so different, too, is the wisdom
of its county Board of Supervisors. Handling a sudden
windfall—tax revenue for Tunica County was $3.5
million in 1992, rising to $52.1 million by 1999—could
have been a daunting task, but county supervisors have
consistently invested that capital in ways that will benefit
the county for decades to come.
“Tunica County, under the direction of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator, Ken Murphree,
along with the Convention and Visitors Bureau, has done
a great job of developing infrastructure and amenities
to support tourism,” says Bob McQueen, Sr. Vice
President/General Manager for the Horseshoe Casino &
Hotel in Tunica. “It has been a pleasure to be involved
with such a competent and progressive group of people.
They have truly done an outstanding job for our community.”
Among the capital improvement projects are better infrastructure—including
a new airport—enhanced tourism opportunities and
the state’s largest indoor arena, as well as world-class
tennis and golf facilities.
Keeping
Visitors Coming: the airport
While Tunica County welcomes more than 12 million visitors
each year to its world class gaming facilities, making
the trip easier—and therefore a repeat experience
for many gamers—is a priority. That’s where
the Tunica Airport comes in. “When the three phases
are complete, the facility will be the side of Reagan
National Airport in Washington, D.C.,” says Sara
Whitten Helms, Marketing Coordinator, Tunica Chamber of
Commerce. “Phase one consists of 5,500 feet of runway,
general and corporate aviation areas, and a 10,000 square
foot general aviation terminal.”
Phase two will extend the runway to 7,000 feet to accommodate
narrow body commercial aircraft (Boeing 737s, 727s, DCs,
MD80s and Airbus 320s). It will also provide a commercial
apron to hold up to seven aircraft and a 47,000 square
foot terminal building with two arrival and departure
gates. Phase three will complete the runways at 8,000
feet, making the Tunica Airport the fourth longest runway
in the state.
Beyond
Casinos: Tunica County celebrates its rich heritage Tunica
County will soon be home to two museums. By Summer 2003
the RiverPark will join the Tunica Museum in presenting
overviews of life along the Mississippi River.
“The Tunica Museum, instead of looking at The Blues,
or Delta culture, or cotton—common topics addressed
in other museums and presentations—looks at these
topics through the eyes of Tunica County,” says
John Fewkes, curator of the Museum. “This is a very
interesting way to look at topics that have affected Tunica
County, but have been addressed only generally. Our exhibits
look at these themes as they have influenced and been
influenced by Tunica County.”
The Tunica Museum, which opened June 30, 2002, is home
to 6,500 square feet of permanent exhibit space, and about
1,600 square feet of temporary exhibit space. On Friday,
February 14th a new exhibit was opened in the temporary
space. “This is ‘Women and Flight’,”
says Fewkes. “It is the first installation of an
exhibit through the Smithsonian Institute Traveling Exhibit
Service.”
In place until March 21st, Women and Flight chronicles
the role of female aviators in flight—from the earliest
days to the current space program. Landing a traveling
exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute is no easy task
and is a testimony to the quality of the museum and its
programs. “The application process is rather lengthy,”
says Fewkes. “There is an extensive questionnaire
that addresses everything from climate control to security
and includes photos of the facility. Once a museum is
approved, it can request traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian
Institute. ‘Women and Flight’ is our first
such exhibit, and we hope to have one or two a year.”
In addition to the temporary exhibit space, there are
extensive exhibits on life in Tunica County—from
the hardwood forests before the arrival of man to today’s
Tunica with its casino row. “The exhibits are primarily
of interest to residents of Tunica County,” says
Fewkes. “We cover everything from the Civil Right
Movement to recreational activity opportunities in the
area. An especially popular exhibit—at least with
our children—is Sally the Mule.”
Joining the Tunica Museum soon will be RiverPark, slated
to open in late Spring 2003. RiverPark, located just behind
Fitzgeralds Casino/Hotel, will be a place to go to learn
all about life along the Mississippi—from history
of levee system to marine life. “The RiverPark will
include a marina and floating dock, aquariums with native
Mississippi river marine life and exhibits focusing on
the Delta and its wildlife,” says Helms.
Recreation
For other, more active recreational opportunities, look
no further than the soon-to-be opened Tunica National
Golf & Tennis Complex. According to Webster Franklin,
President and CEO of the Tunica Convention & Visitors
Bureau, “This state-of-the-art facility will be
the third golf course in Tunica County and will further
enhance Tunica as a year-round gaming and golfing destination.”
Other
features of the Complex include an 8,000 square foot club
house, four indoor clay tennis courts and six outdoor
courts and an 18-hole golf course designed by Mark McCumber.
The facility is slated for a Fall 2003 ribbon cutting
ceremony.
In addition to golf and tennis, Tunica County has worked
hard to attract a wide variety of shows and activities
at its new multi-purpose arena/exposition canter. The
largest indoor arena in the State, it encloses 48,000
square feet with fixed seating capacity for over 2,000
people. There are also two outdoor arenas, and an adjacent
pavilion that provides 100,000 square feet of support
services, such as showers, dressing areas and a service
kitchen.
An
Even Brighter Future
For a county that was relatively poor and had only 20
motel rooms in 1992, Tunica County has transformed into
a hospitality center than can welcome thousands of guests
each month to its 40 plus restaurants and some 6,000 hotel
rooms. “A lot of credit goes to the Board of Supervisors,”
says Fewkes. “I think Tunica County, right now,
is setting itself up to be a major tourist destination
in the United States,” says Fewkes. “Soon
Tunica County will have everything—museums, an airport,
golf courses. Tunica attracts about 50,000 visitors a
day, and a lot of credit goes to the Board of Supervisors
using money to build the enhancements to encourage people
to keep coming back.”
According to Helms, “Tunica will be a destination.
There’s got to be more than casinos” to attract
new and repeat visitors. “Tunica will have it all.”
DBJ
