Jackson Township trustees John Jakubec and Olin Harkleroad said they only learned of plans to build a $100 million casino resort in their backyard through the media, that neither former Congressman Jim Traficant or officials with the Itana and Munsee Delaware Indian tribes have ever contacted them.
"We were sort of blindsided with information on this," said
Months after talking about locating their project in the Lordstown area, Traficant issued a release stating a trustee for both Indian nations purchased a 20-acre site at the corner of Mahoning Avenue and Bailey Road this week.
The development plans include a hotel and convention center as well as the casino bringing more than 1,000 jobs to the area, which is already busy with car and truck traffic from nearby Interstate 76.
"The main thing I'd be concerned about is the traffic flow," said Harkleroad.
Trustees said they also have questions about potential revenues for the township, especially if the project means they'll need to increase the size of local safety forces.
But both also admit the project still has a long way to go.
While trustees believe the approval process from the U.S. Department of the Interior could take years, there could be another hurdle to overcome.
Last year, voters amended the Ohio Constitution to permit casinos at four specific addresses in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.
We spoke with Traficant's agent in California this afternoon about this, but the former congressman himself never called back.
Still, we should learn more about this project Thursday when Traficant meets with Mahoning County commissioners.
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