The principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokees will sign a Tribal Council resolution today authorizing a 650 million dollar expansion plan for the casino.

The tribal council approved the investment yesterday to add a hotel, retail stores and more room for gambling at its casino.

The five-year project also calls for a new spa, a three-thousand-seat showroom and new restaurants near Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel.

Principal Chief Michell (Michael) Hicks is to sign the resolution today and provide additional details about the expansion.

The casino is located 50 miles west of Asheville at the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's owned by the Cherokees and managed by Harrah's. It earns about 155 million dollars annually for the tribe.