Six-thousand Delawareans will have work over the next four years if the state legislature approves the $540 million Del Pointe Resort and Casino. The developers are ready to put men and women to work this spring.
All permits from DelDOT, DNREC and other agencies are approved. The land has already been annexed into the town of Millsboro. Once built, Del Pointe will directly employ 2000 Delawareans and at least 500 more workers will have jobs in the area because of Del Pointe.
Del Pointe will bring much needed funds to our local and state governments:
• $900,000 a year to the Indian River School District
• $2 million a year to the town of Millsboro (plus $15 million in impact fees)
• $150,000 a year to Sussex County
• $75.5 million a year to the State of Delaware.
Del Pointe is not your traditional race track and casino. It will be a major tourist attraction. In addition to the harness track and casino with hotel, there will be a family resort hotel with indoor water park, indoor sports complex, movie theater and at least five restaurants. William Rickman , owner of Ocean Downs located outside of Ocean City, was recently awarded the first Maryland state permit for slot machines. Mr. Rickman who also happens to own Delaware Park in Wilmington, plans on installing 800 slot machines at Ocean Downs. He has postponed the Memorial Day 2010 opening. Ocean Downs is 55 miles south of Harrington.
If Del Pointe is not built and Ocean Downs installs slot machines, how many Delawareans and Marylanders who visit Harrington Raceway and Casino will choose to go Ocean Downs to spend their money?
Del Pointe’s excellent location will draw vacationers from Maryland and Delaware. With the proposed amenities and proximately to Delaware’s resort towns and beaches, it will become a tourist destination. It is not a question of whether or not Delaware should have gambling. That decision was made in 1994.
We have three casino/race tracks now. A recent independent study said that the state would bring in more revenue by adding two sites and, while revenue may decrease at the three existing casinos, they would still have a substantial profit. People are going to spend their money at hotels, restaurants, shops and casinos. They can spend it in a neighboring state or right here in Delaware.
Think of what $900,000 means to a school district in these economic times. Think what the prospect of a job this spring means to the man or woman who is out of work today.
Then tell your State Representative and Senator you want to bring jobs to Delaware. Build Del Pointe.
