Cedar Rapids needs proposed casino

Cedar Rapids/Linn County needs this proposed casino. I am 25 and spend most of my weekends in Iowa City, Des Moines or Ames visiting friends and clients. When I invite friends to come to Cedar Rapids, their response is, “What is there to do?” I have a hard time providing an answer.

A casino would provide an answer and multiple entertainment options. It will help recruit and keep young professionals in Cedar Rapids who are leaving for more vibrant cities, along with keeping the many senior citizens who take a bus to gamble in surrounding casinos. The Cedar Rapids casino will help leverage what the city has done with the convention renovation and new amphitheater.

The citizens of Linn County have voiced their opinion and now it is time for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to give Linn County what we deserve.

As a Cedar Rapids resident and taxpayer, I feel our No. 1 priority should be keeping tax dollars in Cedar Rapids. The casino is also proposed to generate more than 600 well-paying jobs.

This is a win-win, a “no brainer” decision. I look forward to seeing Cedar Rapids businesses thrive and see my taxes not being raised or possibly lowered.

Tyler Winegar

Cedar Rapids