Marion Gaming Association Member: Casino Grants Offer 'Mind-Boggling' Possibilities for Linn County

Leah Rodenberg sees a lot of good that can come from a new casino in Linn County.

By law, the casino would be required to give a percentage of its annual revenues back to the county in the form of grants. The estimate is $2.4 million a year, which is a lot of money and a lot of grants, she said.

"From my perspective, I've seen all of these other counties, especially in our area, Riverside, and Dubuque and Watlerloo, all of the things they've been able to accomplish - with libraries, fire departments, schools," Rodenberg said. "It's mind-boggling when you think of all of the things and all of the projects they've been able to do with all the money they've brought in."

Rodenberg quickly rattled off a list of local outlets for grants food banks, the homeless center, 4-H, Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, school technology, Marion Cares, Junior Achievement and Four Oaks.

Rodenberg, of Marion, brings a corporate philanthropy and volunteerism background as a member of the Linn County Gaming Association. The association would expand from five to 11 members and hold the casino license if it's built. 

A special election on casino gambling is on March 5 and then the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will have say in whether Iowa should open a casino in Linn County.

Some feel the state is over saturated with casinos.

That's one of the main points of contention for opponents, largely funded through casinos in surrounding areas who say a Linn County casino would cannibalize customers from others.

Rodenberg said the goal is not to take away from other communities but as she looks around she sees a casino in the small community of Riverside, two casinos in Dubuque and three in the Quad Cities. And, those casinos have been making it work. So, why not Cedar Rapids?

Cedar Rapids is "formidable" option for a casino being the second largest city in Iowa, and with so much left to do in recovering from the flood of 2008, she said.

"If it's been successful in all of these other communities - Dubuque has two and Quad Cities has three - why can't we have one?" Rodenberg said. "Competition is part of it. Other casinos know they have to compete with each other. I just feel that Linn County should be able to have one, too"

Rodenberg, who's lived in Marion or Cedar Rapids for 16.5 years, said the casino would be good for Marion.

"Obviously, Marion would benefit. People live downtown but like the small town feel," she said. "Ultimately, health and vitality is nothing but good for all of the area, especially Marion because we have so much going on ... It's a great marketing opportunity for Marion, and the more activity the more businesses that pop up."