The way I see the casino picture is more from the economic development. IF the casino employs roughly 600 people (taking the two numbers presented so far and averaging) and if they are paid slightly above minimum wage, $7.00, that's about 8-9 million in "new" wages. Plus, where would all the employees stay? We don't have the housing needed for them. Where would all the employees come from? Ciurrently Dodge has very low unemployment. So low, most employers are having a very hard time finding suitable employee and are taking anyone. This only causes employers to pay more to lure others away. Hence the reason I moved back after college. They're paying me more just to have me out here.
To me, this would cause more people to move to
DC. If every employee had a family of let's say 3, that's an additional 1800 people in our community. Add to that more teachers, doctors, police, etc needed for the influx of people coming. I find it hard to believe that any business wouldn't come to Dodge then. (But I have heard of our fine city making it hard for any new "outside" development.) Right now, we are at a ceiling. We've done all we can with the current situation. I sure can't think of anything that would improve our economy with what we have now. The casino could just be the key to breaking open that skylight. I could be all wet about it, but I as a citizen trying to promote the community I choose to live in, I'm willing to take that bet. (Pun intended.)
We've seen going with the status quo isn't working. After college, I came back to my hometown. I've seen the town I love been squashed over and over. Yes, I understand there are tremendous risks involved. But drastic times call for drastic measures. A post earlier elluded to the fact that there's nothing in Dodge. That's true! I won't argue that at all. But if we don't do something, anything, that'll never change. For me, the casino, and dare I say event center, may just be the ticket for change.
As far as the addicted gambling, people get their fix now. We are one of a very few communities in Kansas that have Bingo EVERY night. Drive by any night and you'll see the very people we're all talking about all ready losing their money. However, that money goes to non-profits, so does it make it right? Plus, keno, pull tabs, scratch offs, hold 'em poker tournaments...it's out there now. Dodge has been and always will be a gaming center.