Advance West Central Indiana PAC releases information found in new study regarding economic impact of a casino in Vigo County
The Advance West Central Indiana Political Action Committee (PAC) released information today from a new study – Indiana Statewide Gaming Market Assessment and Economic Impact Analysis – conducted by The Innovation Group on behalf of the Casino Association of Indiana. The study provides data regarding the potential economic impact of a casino in Terre Haute, Vigo County. A section of this study is specific to a Terre Haute casino and provides a clearer outlook on the impact a casino would have on the community.
“As we have seen all across our state and as this study serves as further proof, casinos are a strong engine for economic development and growth in communities,” states Matt Bell, President of the Casino Association of Indiana. “A casino in Terre Haute creates hundreds of jobs … and in fact, generates tens of millions of dollars in economic benefit to Vigo County. We are so excited Terre Haute has this special opportunity to kick its economic engine into hire gear.”
According to the new study, a casino in Terre Haute will create approximately 650 full-time jobs and 140 part-time casino jobs with labor income totaling more than $26M and a $34M impact to the community in terms of wages, benefits and taxes.
“This study confirms that bringing a casino to Terre Haute will have a strong economic impact for our economy with over $30 million in payroll to our community by a private investor and over $100 million in construction by a private investor,” states Senator Jon Ford. “It’s been a long time since we have had this kind of opportunity here in Terre Haute.”
Additionally, the new study predicts that ongoing operation of a casino in Terre Haute will support nearly 1,300 jobs in the community and $168M in impact to the local economy. The study also estimates that the construction project alone would have a nearly $80M total impact on the local economy.
“I can’t think of any opportunity in recent passing that has even come close to this,” states John Collett, Chair of Advance West Central Indiana PAC.
Question 1 on the November 5th ballot will ask Vigo County residents to vote on the construction of a casino in Terre Haute. Advance West Central Indiana PAC will host a community forum on October 22, at 7 p.m., at IBEW Local 725, 5675 East Hulman Drive, Terre Haute, IN 47803. This public forum will serve as an opportunity for voters to ask questions about and show support for the Vote Yes on #1 casino referendum campaign.
