Bally’s Corporation on Tuesday launched an awareness campaign known as“Bally’s For RVA” to build voter support for its proposed $650 million casino and resort project in Richmond, Virginia.
The city has a referendum scheduled for 2 November. The company said its campaign will run throughout the process.
Tuesday saw the debut of a video presentation touting the company’s proposal. According to Bally’s, the project will include a $100 million upfront payment to the City of Richmond; 4,300 construction jobs and more than 2,000 permanent jobs upon completion; an estimated 3.7 million visitors annually; $5.3 billion in economic value generated over a 10-year period; and $30 million in annual economic activity and spending, plus an additional 289 jobs created through Bally’s “Richmond Rewards” program.
George Papanier, president and CEO of Bally’s Corp. (pictured), said in a statement, “We have deep conviction in our commitment to Richmond, which is why we chose the slogan ‘Bally’s For RVA’ to guide our campaign. Our community-first policy is a fundamental element of who we are as a company. Within each locality where we operate, we build strong, lasting partnerships with residents and businesses.”
Papanier added Bally’s would partner with the Lanier Family, Warren Thompson of Thompson Hospitality, and other minority supplier organizations such as the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council and the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce.
Through these partnerships, Papanier said Bally's will work with historically Black colleges and universities to provide education and training opportunities, internship programs and prospects for long-term employment while promoting careers in the hospitality industry.
In addition, the company said it will sponsor its minority investor partners and local charitable organizations while working with the city and local organizations “to ensure residents and business owners have a voice in the project and the future opportunities.”
Bally’s said the project will drive traffic to the greater Richmond area, turning it into a tourism hub.
Willie Lanier, Sr., NFL Hall of Famer, said, “It is our hope that, through this campaign, Richmonders will gain a greater understanding of how the Bally’s Richmond Casino Resort will contribute significantly to the greater Richmond community.”
