$10M to be shared with several counties
Argosy to share with Ripley County
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Councilman Mario Todd and learned the county could be eligible to apply for public works grants that would see $10M shared with a nine county area.

An economic plan was announced by Indiana State Representative Bob Bischoff that would see the counties of Ripley, Jefferson, Fayette, Union, Franklin, Bartholomew, Decatur, Jackson and Jennings, all sharing revenue from the Argosy Casino profits. That plan was approved by the Lawrenceburg City Council recently.

While Ripley County currently shares revenue from both Belterra and Rising Sun Regional Foundation (Grand Victoria), they have not received any gaming monies from Argosy. The plan is to have Franklin County share upwards of $500,000 - a flat amount and the remaining counties to share $10M.

During the last legislative session state officials tried to take more than $120 million in casino profits from the riverboat counties and place the funds in the state's general fund. While the bill did not pass during the 2005 session, local lawmakers were told they needed to have an "economic development plan if they wanted to keep casino revenue."

Representative Bischoff, along with State Senator Johnny Nugent began to lobby to keep the casino gaming revenue in the area.

Bischoff noted that he does expect the subject of casino revenues to resurface during the 2006 Indiana General Assembly. He noted that the plan in place is tentative and could be changed.

"This will have a great economic impact on our county," noted Commissioner Reiners, who said he and the other commissioners, Lawrence Nickell and Chuck Folz know first hand how the casino revenue sharing plan has made the quality of life better for area residents.

The Rising Sun Regional Foundation was created in 1994 by the City of Rising Sun and Ohio County in conjunction with the development of the Grand Victoria Casino and Resort. The foundation has granted more than $17.5M to hundreds of regional projects over the past nine years.

Marianne Wiggers, foundation president, said the grants "have benefited many, many residents of south eastern Indiana both directly and indirectly."

From fire departments, EMS, police, schools, towns, county governments, to boy scouts and beyond, the foundation grants have changed the quality of life for residents of Ripley County.

Reiners said he is definitely looking forward to the new proposal and knows it will make a difference for those living in the counties who will benefit from the revenue sharing plan.