Casinos Reported Economic Impact

According to the Anderson Economic Group of Lansing, Kent County businesses stand to lose $605 million from 2004 through 2014 if the Gun Lake Band of Potawatomi Indians opens a casino in Wayland Township. Businesses in Ottawa and Kalamazoo counties would also be losers over that period, according to the AEG report, but not to the extent of those in Kent County. In contrast, AEG claimed Allegan County commerce would see a net gain of $1.1 billion over those 11 years from the casino.

Here is a summary of the net economic benefit or loss for four counties for calendar year 2004 and for the years from 2004 through 2014.

Figures are presented in millions; parentheses indicate negative amounts.

County            2004            2004-2014

Allegan            $97                $1,186

Kalamazoo      ($4)                ($54)

Kent               ($50)              ($605)

Ottawa           ($12)              ($149)

Note: Figures are rounded.

Source: Anderson Economic Group, March 2003. Study was done for the Community Partnership for Economic Growth and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of commerce.