Norfolk Casino Committee Launches To Promote Referendum

The possibility of a Norfolk casino has edged closer to becoming a reality.

The campaign to bring a casino resort to southeastern Virginia city was officially launched on Monday by the All In for Norfolk Casino Committee.

Downtown Norfolk may witness the arrival of a $500 million casino-resort if a referendum is successfully passed during the general election on Nov. 3.

The project will be a collaborative effort between the city of Norfolk and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. In December 2018, the tribe initially unveiled their intentions to establish a casino in Norfolk. The subsequent month, the Norfolk City Council unanimously approved a partnership agreement with the tribe for the development of the Norfolk Resort & Casino.

Getting a yes vote on Norfolk casino

The All In for Norfolk Casino Committee has around 60 days left to persuade voters to vote in favor.

Jobs and education funding are the primary focus of its pitch.

In April, the Virginia General Assembly made the decision to legalize casino gambling, paving the way for Norfolk and four other cities to construct their own casinos. However, before proceeding, each city must successfully pass a voter referendum.

Apart from Norfolk, Virginia may soon witness the establishment of casinos in Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth, and Richmond. These cities have been selected due to their prevailing economic difficulties.

With a population of almost 250,000, Norfolk stands as Virginia’s third-largest city. Nevertheless, its economy lacks diversity and heavily relies on military spending and transportation/ports as the main catalysts.

The committee states that the project would not only create casino jobs but also enhance Norfolk’s growing tourism industry, attracting a potential of 6.2 million visitors each year.

The committee is actively promoting the resort by emphasizing the revenue it would generate and the employment opportunities it would create.

About the Norfolk casino-resort

Located next to Harbor Park on the Elizabeth River, the Norfolk Resort & Casino, with a budget of $500 million, is set to be situated on a 14-acre site in downtown Norfolk. The city of Norfolk has explicitly emphasized that the project will contribute to the ongoing revitalization of its waterfront.

The resort is set to comprise of a 300-room hotel, a casino, sportsbook, and an entertainment venue. Moreover, the establishment will offer top-notch restaurants, both indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, and various other amenities.

According to its supporters, the project has the potential to generate 2,500 long-term employment opportunities and over 2,000 temporary construction jobs.

In summary, experts estimate that the project would have a yearly economic impact of $850 million in Virginia. This would result in around $50 million being generated annually for public schools statewide, with an additional $25 million directly benefiting Norfolk.

Helping the Norfolk community

While promoting the Norfolk casino project, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe has emphasized its strong local connections.

For instance, the funds generated from the sale of the casino’s land, which amounts to around $10 million, will be allocated towards the refurbishment of the city’s two public high schools.

In addition to that, the tribe has also dedicated itself to providing necessary services and resources, particularly addressing the issue of food insecurities. In a press conference held on Monday, authorities revealed their intention to establish a new grocery store worth $150,000 in the St. Paul vicinity, which encompasses various public housing communities. This neighborhood was left without access to fresh groceries in June, following the closure of its sole grocery store, effectively becoming a food desert.

The tribe declared that the construction of the grocery store would proceed, independent of the outcome of the casino referendum in Norfolk.