Rural communities put faith in casinos
By Charlotte Eby Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Friday, March 03, 2006
DES MOINES -- Residents in the rural Iowa communities of Emmetsburg and Northwood are pinning their economic hopes on the opening of new casinos later this year and the hundreds new jobs they will bring.
Nearly 4,000 job-seekers have shown up for a limited number of jobs at the soon-to-open casinos in Emmetsburg in Palo Alto County and in Worth County near Northwood.
Casino backers hope the years they have spent working to lure a casino is about to pay off economically.
State Rep. Marcella Frevert of Emmetsburg said a new motel already is in place in anticipation of the casino opening its doors, and rumors are circulating of a new fast-food restaurant opening as well.
Frevert predicts Emmetsburg retailers will benefit from the influx of gamblers. About 2,200 people applied for 350 jobs at the casino.
"There's an air of excitement in Emmetsburg and the whole county," Frevert said.
Kevin Preston of the Wild Rose Casino and Resort in Emmetsburg said the casino is set to open the week of Memorial Day weekend -- a month and a half ahead of schedule. The casino's grand opening is slated for June 30 and July 1.
"We're excited about it. Construction's been going extremely smooth. We're hitting all our target dates," Preston said.
Inside the riverboat casino, gamblers will find 550 slots machines and 15 table games.
The casino also will be home to an Irish pub, a full buffet, convention center and 70-room motel. A Godfather's Pizza, local bakery and Wells' Blue Bunny also will set up shop for hungry gamblers.
Frevert has more than economic hopes for the casino. She hopes the new economic opportunities it offers will turn around declining enrollment numbers in the local school district.
"We've been one of those schools that's been losing population, so we're looking forward to the student population increasing also," she said.
The Diamond Jo Casino in Worth County will become the first of the newly constructed casinos to welcome gamblers when it kicks off its grand opening next month.
Kim Miler, executive director of the Worth County Development Authority, is looking forward to the Diamond Jo's opening.
"It's going to be really neat to watch when it opens, just the excitement grows more and more," she said.
Wes Ehrecke of the Iowa Gaming Association said the investment in the four new casinos set to open this year, which also includes those in Waterloo and Riverside, totals about $600 million.
Capital investment in the expansions of casinos that already have been open equaled close to $310 million, he said.
"That's new construction jobs. That's pumping a lot into those various economies," Ehrecke said.
Statewide, the economic impact of Iowa's casino industry hit $879 million last year, a number that is set to grow when all four new casinos are operating.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
Nearly 4,000 job-seekers have shown up for a limited number of jobs at the soon-to-open casinos in Emmetsburg in Palo Alto County and in Worth County near Northwood.
Casino backers hope the years they have spent working to lure a casino is about to pay off economically.
State Rep. Marcella Frevert of Emmetsburg said a new motel already is in place in anticipation of the casino opening its doors, and rumors are circulating of a new fast-food restaurant opening as well.
Frevert predicts Emmetsburg retailers will benefit from the influx of gamblers. About 2,200 people applied for 350 jobs at the casino.
"There's an air of excitement in Emmetsburg and the whole county," Frevert said.
Kevin Preston of the Wild Rose Casino and Resort in Emmetsburg said the casino is set to open the week of Memorial Day weekend -- a month and a half ahead of schedule. The casino's grand opening is slated for June 30 and July 1.
"We're excited about it. Construction's been going extremely smooth. We're hitting all our target dates," Preston said.
Inside the riverboat casino, gamblers will find 550 slots machines and 15 table games.
The casino also will be home to an Irish pub, a full buffet, convention center and 70-room motel. A Godfather's Pizza, local bakery and Wells' Blue Bunny also will set up shop for hungry gamblers.
Frevert has more than economic hopes for the casino. She hopes the new economic opportunities it offers will turn around declining enrollment numbers in the local school district.
"We've been one of those schools that's been losing population, so we're looking forward to the student population increasing also," she said.
The Diamond Jo Casino in Worth County will become the first of the newly constructed casinos to welcome gamblers when it kicks off its grand opening next month.
Kim Miler, executive director of the Worth County Development Authority, is looking forward to the Diamond Jo's opening.
"It's going to be really neat to watch when it opens, just the excitement grows more and more," she said.
Wes Ehrecke of the Iowa Gaming Association said the investment in the four new casinos set to open this year, which also includes those in Waterloo and Riverside, totals about $600 million.
Capital investment in the expansions of casinos that already have been open equaled close to $310 million, he said.
"That's new construction jobs. That's pumping a lot into those various economies," Ehrecke said.
Statewide, the economic impact of Iowa's casino industry hit $879 million last year, a number that is set to grow when all four new casinos are operating.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
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