As details of a proposed resort casino near Gettysburg continue to emerge, those with a stake in Adams County’s future are beginning to weigh in with their own opinions.
On Wednesday, the south-central Pennsylvania office of the Regional Economic Development District Initiatives (REDDI) lent its support to Gettysburg businessman David LeVan’s latest casino proposal.
That’s significant because Gettysburg Borough has been trying for a decade to develop its own REDDI project in a blighted section of town. Blame for the delay has been attributed mostly to the economy.
But, according to Wednesday’s press release, regional REDDI officials seem to think LeVan’s proposal could provide the “economic boost” Gettysburg so desperately needs.
“The proposed Mason-Dixon Resort & Casino can provide a real economic boost for a county in our region that is struggling more so than others during this difficult recession,” REDDI President Russ Montgomery said. “We have seen improvements to the local economies that host gaming in Pennsylvania, and jobs are being created for local residents. This is a real opportunity that can boost Adams County at a time when unemployment is above 8 percent.”
The press release goes on to note that millions of dollars have been invested in municipalities that host Pennsylvania casinos. Locally, that municipality would be Cumberland Township. The site, currently the Eisenhower Hotel and Conference Center, is located about five miles from downtown Gettysburg.
Montgomery also noted the potential for job creation and infrastructure improvements.
On the other hand, a local citizens’ group of “progressive activists” announced its members’ collective objection earlier this week to LeVan’s proposal. Members of Gettysburg Area Democracy for America voted to oppose LeVan’s plan to obtain a Category 3 gaming license and convert the hotel into a casino with 600 slots machines and 50 table games.
In its press release, the group expresses concern about gambling addiction and “the lure of a casino to those with limited resources.”
Controversy is certainly nothing new to the Gettysburg businessman. In 2005-06, LeVan proposed another Adams County casino project that was ultimately derailed by significant national and local opposition to the site’s proximity to the Gettysburg Battlefield.
No Casino Gettysburg, which formed in 2005 to oppose LeVan’s first proposal, is active again. So is Pro Casino Adams County, which also formed several years ago.
In response to the DFA, LeVan spokesman David La Torre said Wednesday that gambling addiction is a legitimate concern that both LeVan and the Gaming Control Board take seriously. Like other gaming facilities, the Mason-Dixon Resort & Casino would provide help to problem gamblers, as required by the state, La Torre said.
“Their statement is what’s great about America. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion,” La Torre said. “But I’m not sure how people in Adams County, who are suffering with unemployment now over 8 percent, would receive that message.”
As for REDDI’s endorsement, La Torre said the time is “long overdue” for economic-development officials to back gaming.
“Economic-development agencies, like REDDI, should embrace gaming because it’s allowing municipalities to do projects during one of the worst recessions in American history and not (raise) taxes to do them,” La Torre said. “I think an endorsement of this nature is long overdue. I would be disappointed if it was the last.”
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