It’s about time that Linn County got a casino so that we can enjoy the same benefits as communities with casinos in other parts of Iowa. Right now, those jobs, events, taxes and revenues for charitable organizations are going to casinos in other parts of the state, and even other states.

A casino right here in Cedar Rapids would create hundreds of construction jobs and more than 350 permanent jobs and will attract new businesses and even more jobs to the area. We’ve never needed those jobs more than we do today.

Casinos are here to stay in Iowa; there’s just no sense in sending that money outside of Linn County when it could be much better used here to aid flood recovery and local revitalization. I’m glad that our county is finally getting a chance to build a casino and I’m looking forward to making my voice heard. I’m voting yes on Measure A on March 5 and I encourage you to do the same.

Patrick Loeffler

Cedar Rapids