Racino Down East: a key opportunity

Television ads are airing, lawn signs have popped up, bumper stickers are on trucks and cars and prophecies and forecasts of rampant crime, widespread corruption and an accelerated decline in the fabric of our society are inundating the airways again as Maine people prepare for Question 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The first item on the ballot asks voters to allow a Washington County racino, which would be owned by the Passamaquoddy Tribe and would provide for a harness racing facility, beano games and slot machines – similar to the Hollywood Slots facility operating in Bangor and to be significantly expanded by mid-summer next year.

Opponents of gaming in Maine lost their fundamental argument years ago when the state itself initiated a lottery, since expanded to include multistate games. Voters a few years back approved the racino in Bangor. The irony is that the American Indians of Maine have sought approval for such a facility for many years, only to be rebuffed at every turn with some of the same arguments advanced now. The people of Washington County have worked in earnest to pull together some viable catalyst for meaningful economic development for their county for longer than we care to acknowledge. The effort goes back at least to the 1930s and the initiative to create a tidal power project in Eastport.

Every major suggestion, effort or initiative since has been dismissed as people of Washington County watch flabbergasted while development lurches headlong in other areas of the state. Arguably, a racino may not be the ultimate or most ideal vehicle to spur and fuel jobs and development for the county, but it must be acknowledged that it will create jobs – jobs in the substantial construction necessary to build the facility, jobs once it is up and running and jobs in the ancillary businesses that will be generated in support of the racino itself and developed as a result of the new markets and demand it will create.

Maine’s General Fund will reap 3 percent of the net profit and an additional 1 percent of the gross slot revenues. Additional revenues will go to the host municipality, the Washington County Development Authority, agricultural fair support, university scholarships and other programs as is the case with Bangor’s Hollywood Slots. In this time of rapidly increasing costs and limited revenue in state coffers, we can all benefit by the additional resources Washington County will be contributing.

There comes a time when decisive action and direction must be taken. Here is an opportunity which should not be squandered or frittered away. The urgings of opponents are not supported by the evidence or the facts. The experience of Bangor reinforces that reality. The proposal is good for Washington County, it will benefit the entire state of Maine, and will provide much needed hope and opportunity for those who have had little of either for altogether too long. Let’s say yes to Washington County. Let’s say yes on Question 1.

John R. Hanson of Bangor is the executive director of the Maine State Building and Construction Trades Council.