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07/21/2008 07:48 AM

 

Will There Be a Racetrack and Casino in Lawrence County? July 16, 2008 ECO Staff -- Laure Cioffi, senior journalist NEW CASTLE – Lawrence County commissioners are `cautiously optimistic’ that the racetrack and casino will eventually come to the Lawrence County. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control board rejected a request by Centaur Inc., an Indiana-based developer, for a conditional license for the proposed Valley View Downs. Valley View Downs is the proposed one-mile harness racetrack to be located on U.S. Route 422 in Mahoning Township. A casino with 3,000 slot machines is also planned. The company had asked for a conditional license from the state gaming board to secure its financing. The board rejected the request contending the state had not finished its investigation into the company and partners. “The sense we had was that by turning down the conditional license, that does not prejudice the full license,” Commissioner Steve Craig. (Law Offices of Gene G. Dimeo - Articles Featured Business) Craig, along with fellow commissioners Dan Vogler and Rick DeBlasio, traveled to Harrsiburg last Thursday to support Centaur during the meeting. Vogler testified before the gaming commission about the economic impact the racetrack and casino will have on the county. “I made two major points,” Vogler said this week of his testimony. “Our county’s unemployment rate is consistently higher than the state average. And when this casino and racetrack are up and running, 1,000 people will be hired making it the second largest employer in Lawrence County.” Jameson Health System is currently the largest employer. Vogler noted that one of the state gaming commission members who voted against the conditional license said he did it with regret. Commissioner Rick DeBlasio commended Centaur for presenting a good case before the gaming board. Centaur officials could not be reached for comment. All three Lawrence County commissioners say they intend to go to the next meeting of the state gaming commission to show their support of the project. “I think the sense we walked away with from the gaming board is they need to do some due diligence on investigating the parties involved and that should conclude in about four to six weeks,” Craig said.