Golden Mesa Casino Partners Celebrate $78 Million Investment In Oklahoma Panhandle

GUYMON, Okla. - Several partners and community members came together Friday, August 22 to celebrate the completed construction of the Golden Mesa Casino & Hotel, which represents a $78 million investment in Texas County, Okla.

Ken Stonecipher, corporate director for construction for Global Gaming Solutions  emceed the event.

"(Global Gaming Solutions) are a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chickasaw nation," Stonecipher said after greeting the
"standing room only" crowd. "We are very grateful for our partnership with the Shawnee tribe here at Golden Mesa."

Stonecipher noted he has been a resident of Guymon, for the past 32 years.

"And as a resident... my wife and I are very proud of the project we've just completed here in Guymon," Stonecipher said. "It's been a true collaborative effort with many partners."

Those partners along with Global Gaming Solutions and the Shawnee tribe include: Shawnee Development, Chickasaw Nation, City of Guymon, Connect Advisors and Flintco.

The first dignitary introduced by Stonecipher was Chief Ben Barnes.

"We appreciate the City of Guymon and your making us a part of your family," Barnes said. "Many hands made this happen."

Barnes acknowledged several who have had a part in the casino project and explained some of the priorities they had when they came.

"When we came to Texas County, when we came to Guymon, we wanted to make sure first and foremost that we had a well regulated casino," Barnes said. "One that is responsive to satisfaction needs of our guests, and ensure we had a good work place for employees. (A place) that met or exceeded all federal, state and tribal requirements."

Barnes was elected to his current position in 2019, according to Stonecipher. Prior to that he served the Shawnee tribe as second chief for seven years and was a leader in the tribal gaming industry for 20 years.

"The roots of Chief Barnes go back to his volunteer efforts to revive the Shawnee language," Stonecipher said.

Barnes commented on the reception that had received in the Panhandle.

"The hospitality we've seen," he said. "You treat us a family. We are excited to be here."

Success of the casino has resulted in many positives.

"Through our continued success here, our tribal national has been able to establish tribal courts, expand our direct services to our Shawnee citizens, provide support to the Panhandle community, and pay down our nation's financial obligation in record timing, We paid off the original debt of Golden Mesa in record timing," Barnes said. "We've established more than a dozen new programs and services directed to tribal citizens. We continue to value and enhance those services on an annual basis."

According to Barnes, the results have been in the "millions".

"Because of Golden Mesa's continued success, we have administered approximately $4 million in tribally funded programs," he said. "These include elder's assistance, burial assistance, housing down payment assistance multiple youth activity programs and behavioral health assistance."

One part Barnes said they are particularly proud of  is their higher education and scholarship program.

"To date, we have awarded over $2.3 million in scholarships to Shawnee citizens," he said. "This is how we change the future trajectory of the Shawnee. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to be able to do that for our community. Our language program wouldn't be able to do what it does with 137 students a week attending our language program. Those programs are not funded with federal dollars or grant dollars. We have to support those with tribal money dollars.... Every dollar that goes through the casino goes to fund programs such as language, elder services....."

Barnes expressed his appreciation.

"My biggest thanks goes to you - the people of Texas County - the people of Guymon," he said. "You have made us your family. We're honored and consider that a sacred privilege. We are honored to be amongst you."

Bill Lance, Secretary of State of the Chickasaw Nation, told the crowded room, "If you're not in Guymon, Oklahoma this morning - you're missing out. This is a great event. Congratulations to Chief Barnes, the Shawnee tribe...." Lance said he had been involved with the casino project for the past 10 years.

Lance has "dedicated his career" to serving his tribe as administrator of the nation's health system, Stonecipher said of him in his introduction. "He spearheaded the development of the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in 2009. He was appointed secretary of commerce during his 10-year. Lance has managed more than 60 tribal owned entities and more than tripled net revenue for the commerce department."

Lance was appointed Secretary of State for the Chickasaw Nation in 2022 and continues to represent the nation on numerous business, civic and governmental associations.

Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby also spoke at the event.

"We had a dream," Anoatubby said. "It was born out of a handshake and an honorable man kept his word. Working together is so very important. Together we can achieve far more than any of us could do alone."

Another VIP to speak at the grand opening was Chris Floyd, President of Shawnee Development Board of Managers.

Floyd said the casino project, which he referred to as "Panhandle Posh" was "very thoughtfully put together." When working on projects, Floyd commented, "make sure it is a project you can be proud to hang on your wall."

He quoted Chief Tecumseh as to why the project was a success.

"A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong," he said, providing a visual for those in attendance.

"(The casino) is a testament to what we can achieve when we collaborate," Floyd said. "We had challenges. We had disagreements. (But) when strong people are at the table - you find solutions."

Floyd said those who visit the casino will "experience entertainment they've never experienced before."

"(And) I think we will continue to raise the stakes," he added.

Former Shawnee Chief Ron Sparkman, noted they had developed a "lot of friends over the past two years."

"This has been a genuine pleasure to be here," Sparkman said, sharing a story someone had told him in the planning stages. "This lady came up.... she said, I have lived in Guymon all my life. If you came to Guymon and said you have 50 jobs and we are going to pay you $50 an hour - somebody would be opposed to it."

With the expansion, Golden Mesa now boasts a 40,000-square foot gaming floor, new food and beverage options which include Panhandle Press (serving Starbucks coffee) and a full-service restaurant, Cimarron Ridge. There is an RV park with 45 slips, showers and a welcome area; and a four-floor hotel with 99 rooms and a fitness facility. It now includes more than 1,100 electronic games and 10 tables, three of which are located in a premier high-limit room.

The casino, which originally opened in 2019, is located approximately two miles southwest of Guymon on US Highway 54.

Global Gaming Solutions, manages casino operations, while the Shawnee Tribe maintains ownership.

According to a press release from Golden Mesa, when it opened in September 2019, the casino generated 175 new jobs and $4 million in annual payroll. The expansion has more than doubled it’s daily workforce and projected annual payroll to around 380 employees and $11.2 million, respectively.

Hotel reservations may be made by calling 1-800-717-6326 or (580) 754-2742.