FireKeepers Impact Could Be Far Reaching

FireKeepers Casino has already had an impact on Emmett Township, where it will open in early August along I-94. But area officials are both hoping and fearing the $300 million facility's footprint will be larger than Emmett's boundaries.

Since talk of the casino first arose more than a decade ago, officials spoke of the good and the bad: As a tourist draw, FireKeepers will bring economic development to the entire county, proponents said. All those new people will mean new crime, critics said, and don't forget the gambling addiction.

Now, as the final touches are added to the casino's interior, the talk's the same, just a little louder.

Communities across the county are hoping to benefit from economic development caused by the casino attraction.

"We are going to see an increase in the number of people that come to the area, especially in the first year," ventured Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke. "That means more hotels, restaurants, spinoff business in other assets we have in our community, be it Binder Park Zoo, the balloon festival or anything else."

In Marshall Township, whose western edge is only 3,500 feet from the casino, Supervisor Gene Hamaker said all properties along East Michigan Avenue have asked to be dual-zoned commercial-residential. That means they can be residential but can quickly develop into a business property if the opportunity arises.

Also, leaders from municipalities across the county said some of their residents are among the 1,500 employed by the casino.

Studies show the entire county and beyond is likely to see growth. A 2007 Central Michigan University study, for example, found that counties neighboring casino counties actually saw a greater percentage growth than casino counties themselves after gaming facilitis opened.

But it's the same with the bad.

For the complete story, please see Justin A. Hinkley, As open date approaches, impact of FireKeepers Casino still a hot topic, The Battle Creek Enquirer, July 12, 2009.