Jefferson Herald staff report
Wild Rose Casino & Hotel-Jefferson, along with its qualified sponsoring organization, Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation, will continue operating here thanks to the dominating passage of the county’s gaming referendum Tuesday.
“It’s a huge, overwhelming victory,” said Rick Morain, a board member of the non-profit Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation.
With 88.76 percent casting “yes” votes, Greene County has set a new state record for a second gaming referendum. The measure passed with 2,054 votes in favor, 260 against. The previous record for a follow-up gaming vote was in Worth County with a 86.2 percent margin in 2010.
“Tonight, was everything we hoped, and we are happy that the voters affirmed their support for the contributions of Wild Rose and the work that we have done distributing grants and funding in Greene County and the surrounding counties,” said Norm Fandel, president of Grow Greene County. “Thank you to all who voted. Thank you for setting a new record.”
Iowa law requires counties with casinos pass a second referendum eight years after the initial authorization. Greene County passed its initial gaming referendum with 75.1 percent voting in favor, which was also a record.
Tom Timmons, president and chief operating officer of Wild Rose, which also has locations in Clinton and Emmetsburg said he was near speechless with the commanding results.
“It means that we are doing something right,” Timmons said. “The people here think we are doing it right. I’m totally pleased.”
Since opening more than six years ago, the casino has generated $9 million in nonprofit contributions through Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation, which holds the Wild Rose Jefferson license. An additional regional boost has come through $5 million in property taxes and gaming fees.
“I think it speaks for itself,” Timmons said. “There has been so much, I think, that has helped Jefferson and Greene County.”
The casino shares 5 percent of its adjusted gross gaming revenue with the nonprofit — with 4.1 percent going to Greene County itself and 0.9 percent distributed to the neighboring six counties.
“We delivered,” Timmons said. “I’ve told you many times we’ve done everything we said we were going to do. Greene County is unlike any other county I’ve done business in in Iowa.”He added, “We’re just going to keep doing everything we’ve been doing and try to get better.”