Sept. 20–WAVELAND — Friday morning’s groundbreaking officially started construction of a $17.7 million hotel at Silver Slipper Casino.
R.O.I. Hotel Group, a Florida-based company that specializes in building casino hotels, was awarded the construction contract.
The first guests will check into the 142-room hotel in the fall of 2014.
A hotel for the casino in Hancock County has been discussed for years. Andre Hilliou, chairman of Full House Resorts, committed to building the hotel last year when his company bought the Silver Slipper property.
Hilliou welcomed elected officials and other dignitaries to the groundbreaking ceremony. Full House financed $10 million of the construction cost and will pay the remaining $7.7 million with available cash.
The Sun Herald will update this story as it develops.
