The Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council was established in 1981 as a regional economic development organization. The Growth Council works closely with economic development agencies and has established a 30 year track record of assisting area businesses.

The public-private partnership has supported activities to encourage economic development initiatives, new investments, job retention and creation, and markets the Twin Cities as a great place to start and grow a business, raise a family and enjoy the quality of life Maine has to offer.

At its Oct. 7 meeting, the Growth Council Board of Directors, consisting of local political and business leaders, voted to support a casino development project in downtown Lewiston.

The casino project will create new jobs that pay a livable wage, bring significant capital investments to an underutilized area, enhance the local property tax base, and provide a downtown destination attraction without detracting from the community’s economic vitality, diverse business mix and its historic character.

The casino project by Great Falls Recreation and Redevelopment accomplishes these development objectives.

Great Falls Recreation and Redevelopment projects the Lewiston casino will employ 300 to 500 people at a variety of skill levels; have an estimated annual payroll range of $8.5 to $14 million; create $50 to $100 million worth of new construction; and pay new real estate taxes in the range of $1.4 to $2.8 million annually.

The accomplishment of those objectives would surely improve the economic vitality of the area. The construction jobs may only be available during the actual construction phase; however, the casino project would certainly be an economic boost to an industry sector that has been hard hit during this protracted recession.

Property taxes pay for many of the services we have come to expect as citizens of Lewiston and Auburn. As we enter into the fifth year of the recessionary period, we have come to expect to do more with less.

The cities of Lewiston and Auburn have been struggling to balance the municipal budgets without raising the property tax rates for several years. The casino project is not a cure-all, by any means, but is an opportunity to improve the property tax receipts to help fund essential municipal services.

In addition, Great Falls Recreation and Redevelopment has a business plan that ties into the downtown area, the redevelopment of the river’s waterfront, and will support community goals and activities.

The Growth Council believes this commitment to enhancing the economic vitality and historic character of Lewiston’s downtown will make the Lewiston casino a valued partner, a magnet and a draw to the ongoing efforts to revitalize Lewiston’s and Auburn’s downtowns.

As a lifelong resident to this community, I have both started a business here and raised a family. Like many people, I am both happy for my children and yet deeply disappointed to see them both leave soon to accept jobs in other states. We are torn as parents. They want to stay in Maine but the jobs are elsewhere.

Great Falls Recreation and Redevelopment is comprised of local businessmen with long family histories and ties in the Lewiston-Auburn area. What makes this casino project unique and, to partners’ credit, 40 percent of the net slot machine income will be redistributed to the L-A region. This revenue would be tremendously helpful to improve the local quality of life, help support local infrastructure and create a multiplier effect of jobs.

The casino will provide income to the city of Auburn, municipalities adjacent to Lewiston, Androscoggin County and other counties. It will also provide income for downtown revitalization projects, create grants and loans for energy improvements. Road and rail improvement projects will be made; ports and fisheries improved; higher education funded; state tourism promoted; and a Lewiston-Auburn to Brunswick bike path will be built.

The Finance Authority of Maine and the LAEGC will benefit, but so will agricultural fairs, humane societies, Meals on Wheels, the veterans and the elderly. Funds will be allocated to the ongoing efforts to revitalize the recreational use of the Androscoggin River.

Therefore, the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council board of directors finds the casino project proposed by Great Falls Recreation and Redevelopment is consistent with the mission of the Growth Council and the goals and objectives as laid out in the downtown strategic plans for both Lewiston and Auburn.

Dan Thayer is president of Thayer Corporation and chairman of the LAEGC board of directors.

*Disclosure: The Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council would benefit if Referendum Question 3, LD985/IB1, titled “An Act Regarding Establishing a Slot Machine Facility” in Lewiston on the Nov. 8 ballot was to be approved by the voters of Maine. Reference: LD 985, Sec. 10. MRSA §1036, sub-§2-A, O. One percent of the net slot machine income must be forwarded by the (Gambling Control) board to an economic growth council in Lewiston-Auburn for its unrestricted use.