St Tammany Casino would have “moderately positive” regional impact
A study by Convergence Strategy Group reveals the estimated impact of a $329m casino resort for Slidell, Louisiana.
US.- The St. Tammany Corporation, which assists businesses in the Louisiana parish has reported on its review of the Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) casino project. The review evaluates the potential impacts of the planned Camellia Bay Resort for Slidell.
P2E seeks to build $329m Camellia Bay on the Lakeshore Marina on the eastern edge of Lake Pontchartrain.
Produced by the New Orleans-based Convergence Strategy Group, the report concludes that the casino would not negatively affect Slidell or St. Tammany as a whole.
“Through the research we see moderately positive impacts from similar developments across the country all the way down to just no impact, but we have not been able to uncover the negative impacts that many communities have feared,” said Suzanne Leckert, an author of the study.
Convergence Strategy Group analysed the proposed development’s impact on things ranging from small businesses and tourism to crime and marriage/divorce rates. St. Tammany Corporation released sections of the study covering property values and business and employment. Other sections will be released over the next week, said Chris Masingill, CEO of St. Tammany Corporation.
CSG used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US Census, municipal governments and interviews with local leaders. It also reviewed studies from other casino communities.
The report said data showed increases in sales tax revenue and found no pattern of business closures or bankruptcies after casinos opened, said Leckert. The study found similar increases in property values in 17 communities where casinos were introduced during the past decade.
“The community impact study provides an abundance of data and information for St. Tammany residents to take into consideration to help them make an informed decision about this project,” said Masingill.
He added: “This project has really been reviewed, has been scrutinized from every single angle. We know that there’s a significant campaign of misinformation and distortions and, look, we want people to have all of the information.”
Although the Louisiana Gaming Control Board approved the relocation of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment’s Diamond Jacks casino from Bossier City to a proposed site in Slidell, in St. Tammany Parish, voters will have the last word in December.
