AUBURN — Before they took their rally out of the Hilton Garden Inn and across Longley Bridge on Thursday, backers of a Lewiston casino reminded Twin Cities residents to get out and vote.

“The fact of the matter is, we’re looking at a statewide vote,” said Lucien Gosselin, executive director of the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council. “It really is going to require a very strong voter turnout in L-A. If that happens — not marginal turnout but a really strong voter turnout in L-A — this could make the difference in whether this referendum passes or not.”

About 50 people showed up for the rally that was mostly aimed at Auburn residents. It featured speeches by Auburn City Councilor-at-large Belinda Gerry, Hilton Garden Inn General Manager Scott McKenney and Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert, who is the casino group spokesman.

Voters statewide will be asked to approve a Lewiston casino, to be built in Bates Mill No. 5 on Main Street, just across the river from Auburn.

Voters in Lewiston approved an option agreement in June 2010, giving the casino group the option to buy the Bates Mill building. The group so far has made $50,000 in payments on that option agreement. If voters approve the referendum question, a $100,000 payment would be due on Dec. 31. The city and developers would begin negotiating a final sale price for the mill building.

Backers say the casino would bring thousands of jobs to the Twin Cities, and millions of dollars in new revenues. That was the point supporters hammered on Thursday.

“If you want to see change, if you want something better, if you want something to happen on Island Point and on the riverfront in both Lewiston and Auburn, now is your chance to stand up and be counted,” Gosselin said.

Gilbert said he was frustrated with lobbying groups around the state organizing against the Lewiston plan.

“L-A voters have always supported jobs for everyone else in the state,” Gilbert said, noting that Twin Cities voters supported Bangor’s casino in 2003 and Oxford County’s casino in 2008.

“Now, they are spending millions to deny us the same jobs and opportunities they have,” Gilbert said. “We must stand and unite for our community.”

Gilbert ended the rally by urging everyone to shout, “Vote Yes on 3.” He then led a few attendees, waving signs and encouraging drivers to honk, on a quick walk across Longley Bridge into Lewiston and back to Auburn.

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