Indiana county commissioners back Terre Haute casino plan

The three commissioners voted in favor of a resolution Tuesday that a casino would deliver “an injection of jobs and employment benefits” and additional tax revenue to the city about 70 miles west of Indianapolis.

Commissioner Jon Marvel said a casino would also attract restaurants and hotels.

“The three of us believe it will be a good revenue stream for many years to come,” he told The Tribune-Star.

Republican state Sen. Jon Ford of Terre Haute has authored legislation that would allow the owner of the Rising Star Resort and Casino to move up to half of its state-approved gambling games to a new gambling, dining and hotel venue in Terre Haute.

The commissioners considered how casinos have benefited other communities in Indiana, including Evansville.

Marvel said times have changed and there is no longer opposition to gambling in the area.

Nonetheless, Terre Haute residents who attended a legislative meeting at the weekend with Ford and other lawmakers indicated he was wrong. Jeanne Rewa asked attendees to raise their hands if they oppose the proposed casino and a majority of hands were raised.

“The new American casinos are associated with a range of negative health, economic, political, intellectual and social outcomes,” Rewa said.