(Spencer)– An economic development group in Clay county has decided to seek a license from the state to build a casino just north of Spencer.
The Clay County Gambling Initiative started meeting last Spring, with the idea of developing a riverboat casino in Clay county. At first the group supported the gambling proposal for Dickinson county. When that failed, they turned their attention to developing a facility in Clay county.
Harry Rasdahl of Spencer is President of the Clay County Gaming Initiative group. He says their main goal is to bring industry to the area.
Clay county residents will get the first opportunity to become investors in the project. Shares will sell for a minimum of five-thousand dollars. After county residents have had a chance to invest, shares will be made available to people in continguous counties and the rest of the state.
Rasdahl says the group has hired John Pavone of Sioux City as a consultant. Pavone was the first President of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
The group is considering two undisclosed locations north of Spencer for the proposed 35 million dollar casino. It would include a manmade lake.
The group is planning on presenting a petition for a special election to the Clay County Board of Supervisors on October 1st. If all goes as planned, Clay county residents could vote on the issue December 16th.
(Story from Danielle Hitchings of sister station KDWD Hot 100 in Spencer)
