North Carolina residents and government officials recently met in Rockingham County to debate the topic of a possible casino development project, according to a local report in Greensboro’s News & Record.
More than 500 residents showed up to the public meeting, along with Gubernatorial candidate Mark Walker and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.
Those who attended the meeting voiced their concerns and opposition to seeing a casino built in Rockingham County. However, state legislators continue to discuss whether several new casinos should be built within North Carolina’s borders.
The casino development debate has heated up since NC Development Holdings recently requested that 192 acres in Rockingham County be rezoned for possible casino development. The holding company is registered at the same address as The Cordish Companies, a gaming developer based in Baltimore.
According to the local report, the land in question is currently zoned for residential and agricultural use. The county planning board previously voted against rezoning the property in June in a 5 to 2 vote.
However, the project could move forward if county commissioners approves rezoning the land for commercial purposes. County commissioners are scheduled to meet August 21 to address the proposal.
As of this week, more than 3,000 Rockingham Country residents have signed an online petition on change.org to block casino development.
Page, who is running for Lieutenant Governor, shared with local news during the meeting that the decision to allow for a local casino should be up to the people.
He said, “I’ve seen the destruction and I oppose casinos in this county and anywhere in the state. Let the people make the decision. Let the people vote.”
