Danville business owners expressed their support to bring a casino venue to the city. According to some local merchants, a Caesars Virginia casino resort established in Schoolfield would guarantee much-needed jobs, generate fresh tax revenue flows and bring more customers to other parts of the city.
Some business owners claim that the Danville casino project is the most positive thing that happened to the city in quite some time, as it would bring a new life to the local economy and help small businesses deal with financial difficulties. Some of them believe the city needs something “big” to help it deal with the economic hurdles that it has been facing lately.
In less than a month, on November 3rd, city voters are set to decide whether to give their support to the project and allow Caesars Entertainment to establish a casino resort in Schoolfield. The casino resort project has been estimated at $400 million.
According to preliminary expectations, tax revenue that is to be generated by a Caesars casino could guarantee more money for an improved education system in the city of Danville. Based on estimates, the development of such a venue would generate $22 million in gambling tax revenue by the third year of operation. The city of Danville is expected to get $12 million in annual supplemental payments, as well as $4.2 million in sales, lodging, meals and property taxes from the project.
New Jobs, Fresh Tax Revenue Flow and Many Opportunities to Be Brought by Proposed Casino
As mentioned above, some local business owners believe it will bring many new jobs and opportunities to the region. According to them, establishing a casino venue in Danville would be great both for the city and local businesses.
In case Danville people vote “yes” in the November 3rd ballot, Caesars would be permitted to build a $400-million casino complex, which would feature a four-star hotel offering 300 rooms, a live-entertainment venue with 2,500 seats, a conference center, a spa and a pool, as well as several bars and restaurants. Some local business owners shared that it would be a good thing that the complex would offer guest accommodations and a live-entertainment venue, as the city could attract more visitors.
According to preliminary data, the casino would create 900 jobs during the construction works and a further 1,300 jobs at the time it opens. The gambling establishment is set to start operation in 2023.
In case Danville voters approve the casino expansion in November, Caesars would pay $5 million to purchase the site where the casino is to be constructed. The gambling operator is also set to pay $15 million to the city within a 30-day period following the referendum.
Despite many local business owners have shared the addition of the gambling venue would probably bring more good things than bad, the casino project has faced some criticism, too. Some campaigners have said that the establishment of such a venue could cause an increase in crime or problem gambling rates in the city. Others, however, claim that a potential problem with crime levels could be solved with more efforts of the local police forces.
