In an effort to get the proposed Del Pointe racino project off the ground in Delaware's Sussex County, Chris Schell, of Schell Brothers Construction is offering a $20 million pre-payment to the state
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An article in today’s Sussex Countian stated that Schell and other Del Pointe investors have offered to make a $20 million pre-payment of the state's projected share of slots revenue, if their proposal is approved.
“Right now, Sussex County is the only county without a racino. We have been left out of this economic driver and creator of jobs for years, and we finally have an opportunity to be included," Schell said in a letter to the Sussex Countian.
"The primary reason gaming expansion is being considered, I think, is because the state needs new revenue, and they need it quickly. We'd agree to pre-pay $20 million in order to help bridge that gap."
Schell said that he hopes Sussex County can enjoy the economic benefits that the three existing racinos in Delaware do (Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway). However, the existing racinos argue that new casinos would cause the demise of all casinos in the state.
Schell told the Sussex Countian that he would give up his ownership stake in Del Pointe to a Sussex charity or organization to see it get off the ground, if for no other reason than to see some sort of job creation in the county, whose unemployment numbers are nearing nine percent.
"I honestly don’t care about making money from this project," he said. "I know too many people who are out of work and can no longer support their families."
The Del Pointe project includes a one mile standardbred racetrack and casino with slot machines, an IMAX theater, an indoor water park, retail stores and hotel rooms.
To read the Sussex Countian article in its entirety, click here.
To read an article in the Cape Gazette, click here.
(With files from the Sussex Countian and the Cape Gazette)