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New Mexico Casino Expected to Help Local Economy

TEXAS – As reported by the Medland-Reporter Telegram:"The bustling new Black Gold Casino and Zia Park Raceway under construction north of town will diversify Hobbs' oil-based economy and create a cornucopia of jobs, said local business people and an economic development official.

"Along with the 250 people already working at the casino, many of them former officers at the Wackenhut Corrections private prison here, the racetrack, steakhouse and nightclub will employ hundreds more, they say.

"A petition is being circulated to ask the Hobbs City Council to annex the casino-racetrack and include the city in the property tax revenues increase Lea County will enjoy, Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ray Battaglini said Wednesday. The complex is expected to draw 1.2 million visitors a year.

"…Battaglini said tangential benefits are proving almost as helpful as direct ones with New Mexico Junior College training casino employees and out-of-town gamblers frequenting not only motels and restaurants but also the city's seven-screen movie theater, Wal-Mart and other stores. Two motels are being planned to bolster Hobbs' 1,000 motel beds.

"…He said most casino traffic since the Nov. 15 opening has been from West Texas, but Hobbs is not worried Texas might legalize casino gambling or build a West Texas track for the same reason Ruidoso Downs owner R.D. Hubbard and his partners aren't concerned about their tracks hurting each other. Others in Zia Park Partners are Paul Blanchard, Edward Allred and Zia Park President Bruce Rimbo…"

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