A group in Clay County plans to apply for a state gaming license, hoping to bring a casino to the Spencer area. Harry Rasdal is president of “Clay County Gaming Initiative.” He says it’s not going to pollute air or water, he says, and is going to bring a “considerable” amount of money into the community, something Rasdal says everybody wants from a new business. Board Member John Goede says the casino will boost the local economy. Goede says studies have indicated the casino should make about 300 jobs, generate one-point-two million dollars for local cities and counties and more than half a million dollars for local charities. The plan is to put a floating casino on a small man-made lake along Highway 71. A consultant on the project, John Pavone, founded the Iowa Riverboat Association and says Clay County’s an ideal location for a casino. He says with the Iowa Great Lakes and proximity to the Minnesota border, it’s a great area for tourism. The group hopes to attract Iowa investors to put money into the project, selling five-thousand dollar shares to finance the estimated cost of thirty to 35-million dollars. Planners will present a petition to the Clay County board of supervisors and hope for a targeted special election on December 16th.
