The new casino won’t open until next year, but Petersburg, Virginia firefighters are already taking advantage of the revenue it’s generating.
With $10 million from the city’s new casino revenues, the Petersburg Fire Department is enhancing its equipment by placing an order for three fire engines and two ladder trucks.
“The first thing that we wanted to do was place that order for our fire apparatus and set that money aside so we can pay for them straight out, instead of having to use our prior means of having to finance them through a debt service,” Petersburg Mayor Sam Parham told WWBT-TV.
The department celebrated the announcement with a post on its Facebook page:
purchase marks a significant upgrade in the city’s public safety resources, representing the largest equipment acquisition in over thirty years. It is expected to modernize the fleet and improve safety for both firefighters and residents.
Developer Adds Millions to Petersburg Coffers
How can the city purchase new firetrucks with casino funds if they just broke ground on the casino? The answer lies in the significant financial contributions already made by one of the project's developers, Cordish Gaming Group, which has allocated funds to the city’s coffers for various public services before the casino's doors have even opened.
“Part of it includes new fire trucks, which will be part of a four-year build out. We know we need them,” said Petersburg Mayor Sam Parham. The police department is set to receive funding as well.
“We’re finally getting our police a fleet of cars as well. Right now, we’re one of the few police departments in the region that don't have officers with their own cars; our police officers share cars,” Parham told 6 News Richmond at the groundbreaking ceremony earlier this month.
In addition to public safety, educational improvements are also part of the plan, including a new elementary school.
Petersburg, Virginia Residents Voted Unanimously For Casino
According to the Virginia Department of Elections, over 80% of voters supported the referendum on November 5th, paving the way for Virginia to gain its fifth casino since the General Assembly approved locations for gaming facilities in 2020.
The developers aim to have the casino operational by next year at the latest, with a temporary casino potentially opening by the end of this year.
“We’re going to open a temporary facility that will be open before the end of 2025,” said Rob Norton, President of Cordish Gaming Group, at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Plans also include adding a luxury hotel and entertainment center next to the casino. This project is being built on over 90 acres of vacant land near Interstate 95 in southern Petersburg. Mayor Sam Parham believes the Live! Casino Resort will be finished in a few years, attracting many new residents
Economic Impact Already Being Felt in Petersburg
The projected economic impact could bring billions of dollars to the region, with the addition of 7,500 new jobs in construction, hospitality, gaming, and administration, as reported by the developers. Moreover, there are potential annual economic benefits totaling $201 million.
'This community has waited a long time for an economic development project of this size and scale, which will provide a huge boost for the City and the entire region,' said Zed Smith, chief operating officer of Cordish, in a statement.
Other casinos in Virginia—such as those operating in Portsmouth, Danville, and soon to be built in Norfolk—may influence business in Petersburg and vice versa. But Virginia casinos showed significant growth to start the year, so it remains to be seen.
There's also a push being made to add online casinos to the mix in Virginia.
Meanwhile, the new firetrucks are slated for delivery in approximately 48 to 50 months. But as they say, "Good things come to those who wait."
