Plans for a $500 million casino project in Anson County, North Carolina, are reportedly moving forward. County Manager Len Sossamon revealed in an interview on WCNC’s Flashpoint that Raleigh lawmakers have provided assurances that a casino proposal will be included in the budget currently under discussion in the General Assembly.
Reports first surfaced last month that state legislators are evaluating proposals that could see the authorization of as many as four new casinos and video gambling machines. In addition to Anson, other locations being considered include Nash and Rockingham counties.
While specific details about the final language of the bill are yet to be disclosed, Sossamon expressed optimism about the casino’s potential impact on the county’s economic landscape.
The Anson project, if realized, is projected to generate approximately 1,750 jobs, marking a significant step towards revitalizing Anson County, which has faced economic challenges due to the closure of factories over the years. “We need good-paying jobs,” Sossamon said.
The western part of Anson County has been identified as a potential location for the casino, primarily due to its strategic proximity to Charlotte, one of North Carolina’s major cities.
Sossamon highlighted that the county benefits from its location along U.S. 74, a route frequently traveled by approximately 40,000 motorists daily, many of whom are commuting from Charlotte to Wilmington.
The proposed casino aims to transform this traffic into a boon for the county, contributing to the local economy. ”We’d like to have them stop, spend some time, spend some money,” Sossamon explained.
In addition to its potential job creation and economic stimulation, the casino project holds the promise of boosting Anson County’s financial resources. The anticipated benefits include an estimated $4 million in new property tax revenue annually, along with contributions from sales tax and a hospitality tax.
The casino endeavor in Anson County is part of a larger effort by North Carolina lawmakers to consider the establishment of four casinos across the state. This move is seen as a competitive response to neighboring Virginia’s own casino development plans, as Virginia works on constructing new gaming properties within its borders.
Commercial casinos built in Nash, Anson and Rockingham counties could generate almost $1.7 billion in gross wagering revenue annually and hundreds of millions in taxes, in addition to creating new jobs, a study by a gambling research group estimates.