Four boards tied to economic development, tourism and infrastructure have thrown their support behind the efforts of Roanoke Rapids City Council to land a casino in the Carolina Crossroads Entertainment District.
Those boards include the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District, Halifax County Tourism, the Halifax County Economic Development Commission and Halifax Horizons.
While casino legislation was not included following the General Assembly’s approval of a state budget earlier this month, it is widely expected to be brought up again, possibly in the short session.
“The board of directors of Halifax County Business Horizons believes that a Rural Tourism District allowing casino and Class III gaming operations would encourage and support tourism, generate increased tax and other revenues for the city of Roanoke Rapids and all of Halifax County, and stimulate employment opportunities for our citizens,” the resolution signed by Horizons President Scott Aman says. “The board of directors of Halifax County Business Horizons fully supports the proposed legislation and the efforts of the city of Roanoke Rapids to secure casino and Class III gaming operations in the Carolina Crossroads Entertainment District and is ready and willing to assist all partners in attracting this economic development opportunity.”
The resolution will be presented to the Halifax County Board of Commissioners, which twice rejected a similar resolution, and appropriate state officials.
RRSD
On Tuesday the RRSD board approved a resolution that supports the city’s efforts.
“We support economic growth. That would benefit us as far as more customer base and more income for the sanitary district,” said James Kerr, chairman of the RRSD board. “We feel like it’s the best thing for the county for job growth and economic development.”
The resolution says that, “The Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District Board of Commissioners feels that the jobs and investment as a result of the project will generate increased revenues for the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District and all of Halifax County, and stimulate significant employment opportunities for our citizens.”
The resolution closes by saying, “ … the board of commissioners of the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District do hereby fully support the location of casino and gaming operations at the Carolina Crossroads Entertainment District and (are) ready and willing to assist all partners in attracting this economic development project.”
Economic development commission
The Halifax County Economic Development Commission adopted a resolution on October 4.
Ronnie Locke, chairman of the commission, said that the board was unanimous in its support of the city’s efforts. “The Carolina Crossroads property at I-95 Exit 171 is a ready-to-go property that is ideal, not just for casino and gaming operations, but all types of entertainment and commercial venues that will create significant jobs and investment in our community.”
In its resolution the commission said it believes that a Rural Tourism District allowing casino and Class III gaming operations would encourage and support tourism, generate increased tax and other revenues for the city of Roanoke Rapids and all of Halifax County, and stimulate employment opportunities for its citizens. “ … The board of directors of the Halifax County Economic Development Commission fully supports the proposed legislation and the efforts of the city of Roanoke Rapids to secure casino and Class III gaming operations in the Carolina Crossroads Entertainment District and is ready and willing to assist all partners in attracting this economic development opportunity.”
Like the other resolutions and the one approved by the tourism board on September 26, the document will be presented to county commissioners and state officials.
Tourism
Meanwhile, Lori Medlin, president and CEO of the visitors bureau said, “The North Carolina General Assembly will consider legislation to allow casinos in rural counties in North Carolina. They are considering this to encourage and promote tourism and economic growth in these counties. The Halifax County Convention & Visitors Bureau supports this development in Roanoke Rapids.”
Medlin said the proposed legislation includes a requirement that the developer invests $500 million in economic development around the casino and that the entire development creates 1,750 new jobs. It also requires that $1.5 million be invested in the community's mental health system. “The Halifax County CVB estimates that this project will double the number of hotel rooms in our county and that every tourism-related business in the county will feel a positive impact from this development.”
She said, “The city of Roanoke Rapids has a shovel-ready site with all the infrastructure and land use zoning in place and is ready for this development. Our board believes that this type of development will grow tourism astronomically.”
Said Medlin: “The board also believes the increased tax revenue for the city and all of Halifax County will stimulate job creation and revenue in existing businesses in the county. I personally believe that these new taxes will relieve the pressure on our citizens of the tax burden we now bear.”
Tourism’s resolution notes Carolina Crossroads is an eligible location for a Rural Tourism District. “The Halifax County Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors believes that a Rural Tourism District allowing casino and Class III gaming operations would encourage and support tourism, generate increased tax and other revenues for the city of Roanoke Rapids and all of Halifax County, and stimulate employment opportunities for our citizens.”
