Racino will only help Clovis grow

Jobs. Entertainment. Tourism. Quality of life. Millions in tax revenue for New Mexico and Clovis/Curry County.

That’s what the proposed racino (combination horse-racing track and casino) will bring if the New Mexico Racing Commission decides Clovis/Curry County will be the site of New Mexico’s sixth license.

If you agree that a racino would benefit Clovis, please attend the racing commission meeting at 4 p.m. Friday for the public comment session. Just your presence will show how much Clovis supports this project.

Then stay and eat burgers and BBQ as we give the racing commissioners a big send-off.

Why is Clovis the best option? Because Clovis is equidistant from Amarillo and Lubbock. Within a two-hour drive of Clovis live over 750,000 people.

Projections are that 80-plus percent of the racino patrons will come from other states — primarily Texas — to visit the racino.

How many of us go to Lubbock and Amarillo and spend money? A lot! How many Texans come to Clovis and spend money? Not many.

Let’s give them a reason to come.

Remember, more Texans mean more tourist dollars.

Plus, as Clovis grows, national stores like Target, TJ Maxx and Olive Garden will take notice.

The three entities vying for the Clovis site are willing to pump $80 million to $200 million into this project, with no special tax breaks.

Unfortunately, there’s a small group of vocal locals who do not feel the same as my team and I. They’re disseminating misleading information.

• A racino will NOT use tremendous amounts of ground water. The plans include using repurposed water from our waste water treatment plant for the track and landscaping.

• There will NOT be an increase in crime. Chief Chris McCall of Hobbs told me their police department gets more calls from Wal-Mart than their racino, Zia Park.

• Ten percent of our population will NOT become gambling addicts. Studies show that only 1.1 percent are pathological gamblers and those with problems will NOT be stopped by rejecting a racino.

• The racino will NOT destroy the local economy. It will help the local economy by creating over 300 permanent jobs. The municipalities of Hobbs, Ruidoso Downs, Farmington, Albuquerque and Sunland Park love their race tracks — and have fought hard to keep them because of economic gain.

It’s crucial for Clovis to show support. Join us at 4 p.m. Friday at the Clovis Civic Center.

Contact Tom Martin at: [email protected]