With the November seventh poll and, respectively, either side within the extremely contended on line casino referendum in Richmond are doing their finest to spice up the funding of their last-minute campaigns.
In keeping with studies, the builders of the proposed $562-million Richmond Grand Resort and On line casino undertaking, City One and Churchill Downs Inc., have made a further contribution of $1 million, in a bid to win the referendum, bringing their whole funding to nearly $10 million. Thus far, the 2 corporations have already invested $8.1 million to rent political strategists, promote their undertaking and make different “get-out-the-vote” efforts, together with providing free lunches and paying for voters’ transportation to polling places. Additionally they organized a free live performance that includes The Isley Brothers on the Hickory Hill Group Heart.
Knowledge offered by Virginia Public Entry Venture exhibits that City One made a further contribution of $168,714, whereas Churchill Downs offered an additional $899,269 of their newest effort to get native voters’ help and emerge victorious from the upcoming on line casino referendum.
Venture spokesperson Michael Kelly shared that the additional funding will likely be used to proceed the teams’ efforts to carry talks with Richmond residents and inform them extra in regards to the alternative to create 1,300 new jobs and generate recent income value tens of millions of {dollars} that could possibly be invested to broaden entry to childcare and different group tasks.
In keeping with preliminary estimates offered by the builders, Richmond Grand Resorts and On line casino is about to generate an annual playing tax income of $30 million. As revealed by metropolis officers, an preliminary funding of $26 million is about to be redirected to childcare and schooling tasks.
Opponents of the Richmond On line casino Venture Say It Would Solely Deliver Extra Issues for Native Communities
On the similar time, the opponents of the Richmond on line casino undertaking are additionally enhancing their efforts.
Virginia Public Entry Venture reported that the political motion committee No Means No On line casino, which is operated by political analyst Paul Goldman, has boosted its preliminary $150,000 marketing campaign to $336,025. In keeping with the political motion committee (PAC), which is the most important opposition group to the on line casino, the builders would goal weak prospects within the area.
The Household Basis has additionally joined within the battle in opposition to the undertaking, making an general funding value $131,508. The group, which is a conservative Christian group, has harshly criticized the undertaking by way of its anti-casino political motion committee – the Richmond Anti-Corruption League. Thus far, it has used marketing campaign funds to advertise two TV adverts in opposition to the proposed on line casino undertaking, together with some adverts on varied digital channels. That was confirmed by the Basis’s spokesperson, Victoria Cobb.
In 2020, native voters turned down plans for the institution of the proposed on line casino by a 51% to 49% vote. Many of the votes got here for the town’s South Facet which is meant to host the venue, if constructed. Other than the on line casino, the venue may also characteristic a 250-room resort, a 3,000-seat live performance venue, and a 55-acre outside park.
Reportedly, either side are utilizing funds to persuade extra individuals to go to the polls and help their initiatives. Polls are set to open at 6:00 AM on November seventh.
Getting as many individuals to the polls has been a precedence to each the supporters and the opponents of the undertaking, particularly as a result of early voting was put on the forefront of each campaigns.
