Three area economic development groups have endorsed a casino in Linn County, the Vote Yes Linn County campaign reported on Wednesday.

They are the Regional Economic Development Institute or RED-I, an African American business group in the Corridor; the Marion Economic Development Co.; and the Hiawatha Economic Development Corp.

“The board believes that a casino will expand and facilitate economic development in Linn County …,” George Lake, president of the Marion group, said in a statement released by the Vote Yes Linn County campaign.

In January, the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau also endorsed the casino project and encouraged voters to support it in the March 5 referendum.