The Catawba Indian Nation plans to break ground this week on a 300 million dollar Vegas-style casino 35 miles from Charlotte in Kings Mountain. The Wednesday ground-breaking comes after years of efforts and despite a lawsuit by the Eastern Band of Cherokees who operate casinos in Western North Carolina. The nation acquired federal approval earlier this year to acquire 16 acres of land in Cleveland County. The Cherokees have called the Catawba’s efforts “a modern-day land grab.” They plan to open their casino in the middle of 2021.