MONTGOMERY — Legislation to allow annexation of a section of Cullman County by Smith Lake to establish a framework to attract a resort to the area was signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 322 by State Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills) and State Sen. Pro-Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) describes a possible resort project including golf, restaurants, a hotel and other outdoor activities.
One amendment to the bill stated that the property can't be used to build a casino. The Poarch Creek Indians are investors in the project.
"The Poarch Creek Indians have no plans to build a casino on the property at Smith Lake. Any statements or suggestions to the contrary are completely inaccurate,” Kristin Hellmich, a spokesperson for the Poarch Creek Indians, told 1819 News in late April.
According to Hanceville Today, the project is also backed by Troon Golf, EDSA Design Group, Nicklaus Design, Rick Smith, Greg Norman Golf and the Erin Kreuger Team. The resort will also include hotel and entertainment spaces, glamping areas, chapel sites, two golf courses and shooting ranges.
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