Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce endorses casino development

The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce is supporting the proposed Isle of Capri casino development in downtown Cape Girardeau.

The decision was unanimous among the 18 voting members present at the Chamber's regular board meeting Tuesday.

"All the pros and cons were evaluated," said Randy Kluge, board chairman and director of hotels for Drury Southwest.

Chamber board members thought the casino development was in line with its mission to advocate for economic progress, jobs and improved quality of life.

"It's much more than just a casino, it's a $125 million investment in downtown that includes a casino but also includes many, many other things," said John Mehner, chamber president and CEO.

Mehner researched five Midwestern communities with casinos, talking with local government officials, businesses and churches over the last month.

"Our position as a chamber is to promote the businesses in the community," Kluge said. "In this economy, we should support anything that can help create more jobs, expand the tax base, provide additional services for our community, and additional funds for our schools."

Along with the benefits the casino development could bring, board members also considered the effect a new casino development may have on existing businesses, Mehner said.

"We face this with almost every new business we bring in. Every new business competes for other businesses' labor force and people's disposable income," Mehner said.

In a statement of support for the Isle of Capri project, the board said the benefits of the project were 1 million new visitors to Cape Girardeau; a new entertainment venue and meeting space; a restaurant/lounge with a view of the Mississippi River; a designated site for a new downtown hotel; 400 jobs at the startup and 350 ongoing jobs with an estimated annual payroll of $14 million; a revenue source to the city, a portion of which will be used for special projects not possible without the development.

"We will work with existing businesses and potential new project developers to try and capitalize on this opportunity to enhance the quality of life for area residents," the board said in a written statement.

The statement also urged Isle of Capri to give area businesses an opportunity to earn construction and vendor contracts for the development.

Mehner said the chamber is not attempting to change the minds of those opposed to the casino. The board also understand concerns about possible increases in problem gambling, Mehner said.

Downtown development organization Old Town Cape endorsed Isle of Capri's proposed casino last week.

"It's not something we are looking at lightly. Everyone is looking at all the aspects before they make these decisions," said Kent Zickfield, Old Town Cape board president and owner of Zickfield's Jewelry and Gifts in downtown Cape Girardeau.

mmiller@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

1267 N. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau MO