[fla_tiger]

Trump plans Diamondhead casino

Diamondhead resort community is off I-10 between New Orleans and Biloxi

By TOM WILEMON
SUN HERALD
BILOXI - Trump Entertainment Resorts and Diamondhead Casino Corp. announced today that the two publicly traded companies have signed a letter of intent to develop a casino resort in Hancock County near Interstate 10.

The joint venture would cover a minimum of 40 acres on the north shore of the Bay of St. Louis near Diamondhead.

Deborah A. Vitale, the chief executive officer of Diamondhead Casino Corp., said the Trump name will bring attention to the Mississippi Coast as a premier tourism destination. She said she called Gov. Haley Barbour and state legislators this morning to inform them of the agreement. Last year, the Legislature at the governor's request changed state law to allow casinos to come ashore within 800 feet of where gambling barges are allowed.

"Your governor and legislators have done a great job," Vitale said. "The outside world does not view Mississippi as a land-based casino market. It just thinks of boats and barges. This changes everything. It's a dramatic change in the way your state will be viewed. Therefore, you will become a destination resort. You have fantastic golf. You have golf courses all over the place. You have the weather, the water and golf. You have it all."

Trump Entertainment Resorts owns and operates three properties in Atlantic City. The company is separate and distinct from Donald Trump's real estate and other holdings.

"As we renovate and re-brand our Atlantic City properties, we are also focused on our corporate development initiatives and expanding the Trump brand into new markets," said James B. Perry, chief executive officer of Trump Entertainment. "We are excited about the prospect of bringing the Trump brand to the Gulf Coast, and we hope to join private and public entities in redeveloping the region. We believe that this is a great opportunity to create value for our company, our shareholders and the citizens of Mississippi."

Diamondhead Casino Corp. owns about 404 acres of land near Diamondhead.

Renderings will be posted when available