Thursday, January 27, 2000
Lawrenceburg cashes in - again
Argosy tax payment is $16.1 million
BY RACHEL MELCER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. — During a brief ceremony at Argosy Casino Wednesday, general manager Arnold Block handed Mayor Paul Tremain a new swimming pool, playground equipment, pothole filler, downtown redevelopment plans and infrastructure.
It all came in the guise of a $16.1 million check — the latest payment in nearly $129 million generated by the riverboat for the city over the last three years. Argosy also pays state, county and other local taxes.
“Without this kind of influx of funds, we wouldn't be able to do the kind of infrastructure and projects we need,” said Mr. Tremain. “These are things taxpayers would normally have to pay for.”
More gamblers visited Argosy last year than any other floating casino in the world, buying 7.3 million admission tickets and losing $308.3 million at table games and slot machines. Statewide, riverboat customers lost more than $1 billion in 1999.
In return, Argosy employs 2,200 Tristate residents and buys goods and services from more than 350 firms scattered throughout the region.
Tax payments allow local governments to complete projects they had previously only dreamed about.
Lawrenceburg is conducting a market study, due in March, that will guide development of a conference center, hotel and shops in its faltering downtown. A five-year sewer improvement project is under way.
Mr. Tremain vowed to use the money to help children and schools.
A new pool complex will be built by this summer at Tate Street park, replacing the old, three-foot-deep pool that doesn't meet demand. The 42-year-old mayor wants new playground equipment to take the place of the swings and slides he played on as a kid.
City council just approved spending $90,000 to install security cameras at Lawrenceburg's elementary, middle and high schools, as well as at St. Lawrence School.
“You're investing in the community by investing in our children,” both by providing them with services now and protecting them from government debt in the future, Mr. Tremain said. “Some day they're going to be taking care of me, and I don't want it to be a mess. Let's not strap them with 30-year bond issues.”
Part of the money is shared with Dearborn County, local schools, libraries, senior citizens' services, and charitable foundations.
With its share of casino revenue — $11.3 million from Lawrenceburg and $17.3 million in direct payments since 1996 — the county has paved even its most remote roads. It can also afford to keep them safe in the winter, which wasn't always the case.
“When someone out in the country gets up and gets ready to leave for work and he gets to drive on a paved road, and not a gravel road, and he's got salt and sand on the road and he's got a county crew out working 'round the clock, I think that's a huge impact,” said County Commission President Vera Benning.
Argosy's Mr. Block said he is glad the money is being used to improve the community's quality of life.
“That this money is getting into the school foundations so that they're buying computers, and into the libraries and the senior centers — I'm especially gratified by knowing that the money is being distributed,” he said.
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