Vigo County Officials Offer Support for Hard Rock Casino
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TERRE HAUTE - Officials in Vigo County are pushing for Hard Rock International to receive the open gaming license to develop a casino in Terre Haute. The Tribune-Star reports the Vigo County Council and the Vigo County Board of Commissioners have submitted letters to the Indiana Gaming Commission in support of the Rocksino Terre Haute proposal.
In its letter, the council recommended Hard Rock for the license "based on Hard Rock's brand recognition, the design of the facility, their operating history, and the ability to start construction almost immediately make them the best operator for our community."
The council referenced Terre Haute businessman Greg Gibson, whom the casino operator confirmed to the publication is a partner in the venture.
"In addition, their local member has a long history of community involvement, community investment and charitable giving in our county," the council said. "The same local member worked hard with our local leaders and legislators to pass House Enrolled Act 1015 and make the licensing of a casino in Vigo County possible. The members of this partnership also invested in the effort to pass a referendum supporting gaming in our county, and we are confident that HR Terre Haute will be a true community partner."
Hard Rock is one of four applicants for the gaming license and is proposing to build a casino with 850 slot machines, 35 table games, a 300-seat entertainment venue, and a 1,000-square-foot retail shop.
The Vigo County Commissioners each sent individual letters in support of the project, which they say will create approximately 600 permanent casino jobs and contribute $148 million annually to the local economy.
"The residents of Vigo County overwhelmingly supported the casino as demonstrated by the November 2019 referendum in which 63 percent of the voters endorsed the project," the commissioners said. "Despite the many delays, our community remains incredibly support of this project and the prosperity it will bring to our residents."
The IGC is expected to make a decision on which applicant will receive the gaming license next month. You can read the full story from the Tribune-Star by clicking here.
