Jasper County Casino: Plan needs no taxpayer funds, just positive referendum vote

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Supporters for the proposed casino in Newton said Monday the project wouldn’t need taxpayer money to become a reality. Jamie Myers of West Des Moines-based Regency, the company interested in developing a 70,000 square foot casino and hotel just north of the Iowa Speedway, told Newton City Council at the group’s Monday meeting that Regency would not need city financing for the project. “We’re not asking for any city help,” Myers said, later adding, “At this time, we feel that the future feasibility of this project will not need any of the city’s help relative to the development cost.” While the project would not need taxpayers’ money, it will need taxpayers’ support to move forward. Former Newton council member Dennis Julius addressed council Monday as president of the Jasper County Gaming Development Corporation (JCGDC), a non-profit organization filed with the state to pursue the possibility of gaming in Jasper County. Julius told council the group is seeking signatures from county residents in order to bring the gambling issue up for a vote. The group needs 1,485 signatures to set up a countywide referendum. “We have a developer in place, somebody who if we get all our ducks in a row so to speak, is ready to go, is ready to help Newton move forward,” Julius said. JCGDC has members from throughout the county, including George Dickerson or Colfax, Marge Tynan of Prairie City, Marty Stratton and Alan Halferty both of Newton, Bryce Gause of Lynnville, Kim Worth of Monroe and Jim Robinson of Baxter. Currently, that group is gathering signatures and targeting a date sometime this spring for a special election. Such an election would cost money, but Myers told council the developer likely would enter into an agreement with the county to pay for the election. “At that point in time, the residents are going to tell us whether or not they feel this is a project that will help move Newton and Jasper County forward. It is truly a vote of the people,” Julius said. “But we believe the majority of Jasper County residents will see this as a golden opportunity to land a project that will have a huge positive impact in creating good jobs and furthering economic development in the area.” Beyond that, the county would have to approach the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to get a license. The group is not currently accepting applications but will meet in March to take a look at the gaming industry in Iowa and may decide to grant a license or licenses to prospective projects. “We believe we can present a very strong case for this location, this facility,” Julius said. The proposed casino, which would create 400 to 600 new jobs along with space for retail development, is just in the conceptual stage at this point. Developers like the location near Iowa Speedway because it has high visibility could attract travelers off the interstate. Myers said I-80 has more than 10 million cars drive past each year. The 62-acre site would include a casino/hotel and a spot for an additional resort hotel, as well as space for retail, restaurants and campgrounds. “It also, we believe, will add to tourism by being able to create the synergy between the track and the hotel/casino and other entertainment venues that will be there. Just the drive-by traffic alone, we think we’ll be able to pull folks who are driving through Iowa off the road to be able to come in,” Myers said. Longterm, Myers said the group would hope to spur retail growth that could spill over into adjoining parcels. His group is in the process of conducting a feasibility study, which will be completed within 30 days. “There is absolutely no cost to taxpayers,” Julius said.

Also last night, Council: