Churchill Downs seeks diverse contractors for Terre Haute casino

The developer of the Queen of Terre Haute Casino Resort is looking locally as construction continues. Our partners at WTHI-TV report Churchill Downs Inc. (Nasdaq: CHDN) is seeking minority-, female-, and disabled veteran-owned businesses to help build the $240 million casino and hotel.

CDI is partnering with the Indiana Small Business Development Center to find local businesses. A diversity outreach event will take place next week to connect businesses with the developer.

“They really want 25% to be service or suppliers of goods and needs for that project. So, we’re actually able to put businesses in a room with those key players that are making those decisions,” Courtney Chipol with the Indiana SBDC tells WTHI.

The event is scheduled for Oct. 11 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Scott College of Business on the campus of Indiana State University.

CDI broke ground on the casino project in June after receiving the open gaming license for Vigo County from the Indiana Gaming Commission in December.

The project includes a nearly 400,000-square-foot casino building that would include 56,000 square feet of gaming space with 1,000 slots and 50 table games. A 125-room hotel is also planned.

The casino is expected to employ some 500 people.

CDI Chief Executive Officer Bill Carstanjen told WTHI in June the casino is expected to a $190 million annual economic impact to the city.