Natchez — Natchez Gaming Enterprises LLC received unanimous approval to move forward with development of its proposed casino at Roth Hill from the Mississippi Gaming Commission Tuesday morning.

Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton was at the commission’s meeting in Jackson and said he was excited about the company’s approval.

“Everything has checked out,” he said. “Hopefully, in the next few weeks we’ll be under construction down there, have a groundbreaking and start laying some pilings.”

Natchez Gaming Enterprises was a last-minute add to the commission’s agenda Wednesday. Allen Godfrey, commission executive director, said the commission works to assist applicants in the approval process when it’s possible.

“As an agency, we try to work with all of our applicants, and if there’s a way we can accommodate them, we do,” Godfrey said.

The approval comes just days before the city would be given the option to terminate its lease with the company that first received site approval for the casino from the commission in 2007 and approval to proceed with development in 2008.

The approval expired after the company failed to submit proper financial documentation within a certain period of time.