NATCHEZ — Magnolia Bluffs Casino developers gave local officials and community members a peek at their $45 million ace in the hole Thursday evening.

Premier Gaming Group hosted a “steel topping off” party at the Natchez Community Center as a show of appreciation for its construction workers and a “show-and-tell” for the community, Premier Gaming Group President Kevin Preston.

General Manager Bob Little, originally from Pascagoula, said he and his family would be moving to Natchez from Nevada when the casino opens in December. Little, a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, said he opened the Isle of Capri casinos in Biloxi, Vicksburg and Lake Charles.

“Most of my relatives live around the Jackson area, so I feel right at home here in Natchez,” Little said.

Mayor Jake Middleton, mayor-elect Larry L. “Butch” Brown, aldermen, county supervisors and other local officials and community members mingled at the community center.

Middleton said he was happy to see the progress of the construction of the casino.

“I know (the casino) is going to be good for Natchez,” Middleton said. “The money they will pay the city and the revenue they’ll hopefully make will really help the city do things people want to see get done, like paving streets and giving raises to law enforcement and firefighters.”

Brown said he was glad to see the casino developers reaching out the community to show the plans for the casino.

“What they’re doing is important to the community, to let the perceived leadership of the community be invited to ask questions, see the progress and understand what’s going on under the hill,” Brown said.

Brown said with the recent controversy surrounding the casino, he believes many community members are confused about what exactly the casino will look like when its completed.

“There is a great amount of concern about follow-up on commitments made as far as the plans with the planning and preservation commissions, but if you look at the skeleton of the building, it looks OK,” Brown said.

A few party-goers took a Natchez Transit trolley down to the Roth Hill site to tour the casino construction.

The 43,000-square-foot casino will have 601 slot machines, 12 table games, a center bar with 20 poker games, two restaurants and a player’s club.

An outdoor deck will wrap around the sides and back of the casino and will feature a seating area and a fire pit.

The opening date is scheduled for Dec. 21.