The chances of a casino being established in Danville is in the voters’ hands, with a referendum on the matter officially included on the ballot earlier in August.
Unlike most large economic developments that have been announced over the recent years as collaborations between Pittsylvania County and Danville, the casino project is now exclusively held by the city. However, experts say that a casino establishment will have an impact not only on the city of Danville but across the region, including the Pittsylvania County.
If it is approved, the planned casino venue is expected to create 1,300 jobs and will also feature a hotel, an entertainment venue, and a conference center. Delegate Danny Marshall, who supported the legislation under which a casino venue was allowed and is now part of the “Caesars for Danville” referendum campaign, said that the casino would be beneficial for Pittsylvania Country as it would bring some money back to the region.
For the time being, the Pittsylvania County administration has not revealed whether it is considering the possibility of a casino establishment.
However, the members of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors have shared different thoughts on the project. Some of them, such as Charles Miller and Ron Scearce, both shared that, in their opinion, a casino would have a negative impact on the city. On the other hand, the project’s proponents, including Ben Farmer and Vic Ingram, believe that a gambling facility would be beneficial for the region as it would generate fresh secondary revenue for Pittsylvania County.
Casino Project Proponents Say the Venue Would Have a Positive Impact on the City
Danville has been known as one of the five cities in the region that face financial difficulties and that are allowed to host a casino if local voters approve. The new piece of legislation covers Danville, Richmond, Danville-Bristol, Norfolk Bristol and Portsmouth.
In recent years, Danville and Pittsylvania County have joined forces to work together on several economic development partnerships through the Regional Industrial Facility Authority and the Staunton River RIFA. The city and Pittsylvania County also have joint ownership of the Southern Virginia Megasite.
As revealed by members of the local board of supervisors, there had not been any discussions regarding the casino project and the potential impact it could have on the region.
A study on the economic and fiscal impact of a Danville-situated casino on the region has been conducted by Convergence Strategy Group. According to the results of the research, it is the city of Danville that will feel the majority of fiscal effects of the potential establishment of a casino venue, especially in terms of workforce. The researchers have revealed that the regional unemployment rate could fall by about 1% as a result of a casino venue becoming operational.
