Casino Referendum Creating a Historic Opportunity To Bring Jobs, Economic Development and Tax Revenues To Petersburg
Petersburg, Va. (August 8, 2024) – Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies are excited to announce the addition of two dynamic team members to spearhead the campaign for the upcoming Live! Casino Resort referendum on the November 5th ballot. Virginian natives Ja’Scotta Jefferson and Preston A. Page will serve as Co-Campaign Managers. As the grassroots campaign progresses, the team will also be looking to bring on more members to engage with the Petersburg community. Campaign efforts will officially kick off this month in the coming weeks.
“I am excited to welcome Ja’Scotta and Preston to our team, said Bruce Smith, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Prominent Developer, and Community Leader. “Their experience, expertise, and understanding of the needs of the City of Petersburg and community is a win for everybody. Working with community leaders, business owners, local advocates, and the community at large, they will help carry this shared vision of economic growth, job creation, and important investments to the City of Petersburg. A Yes vote for the casino referendum this November is the win Petersburg deserves.”
The new campaign team brings expertise, passion, and are distinguished professionals with a proven track record in community engagement, strategic communication, and campaign management. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise will be instrumental in driving the success of the casino referendum campaign.
“We are delighted to welcome Ja’Scotta and Preston to our team,” said Zed Smith, Chief Operating Officer of The Cordish Companies. “They join us with extensive experience, exceptional leadership, and dedication that will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts as we work towards achieving a positive outcome in the upcoming referendum. Both have lived in Petersburg at some point in time, which underscores our commitment to assembling a diverse and talented team that believes in the City of Petersburg.”
Ja’Scotta Jefferson has extensive experience in field organizing and voter protection efforts in the region, most recently serving as Director of Voter Protection for the Democratic Party of Virginia. A graduate of Virginia State University, Jefferson will lead efforts in engaging the Petersburg community, mobilizing community support and driving voter turnout.
“A project such as this will bring new positive change and economic benefits to the City of Petersburg,” said Jefferson. “I’m excited to be a part of this historic opportunity for Petersburg and look forward to connecting with residents in their neighborhoods, at community events and anywhere the people of Petersburg love to enjoy what makes this city so special. Petersburg is a hidden gem; it’s time to let it shine!”
Preston A. Page is a seasoned public relations and strategic operations strategist. Page has managed numerous high-profile advocacy efforts across the region, most recently serving as Director of Logistics for the North Carolina NAACP. Page attended Virginia State University and later graduated from Old Dominion University. His extensive experience will allow the campaign team to clearly communicate the benefits of the Live! Casino Resort referendum and will help earn the votes of Petersburg citizens.
“Bringing this casino resort project to Petersburg is more than entertainment—it’s an opportunity to boost our local economy, create sustainable jobs, and generate much-needed revenue for community projects and services,” said Page. “For too long Petersburg has been overlooked by major economic development projects. I am excited to play a part in making this dream become a reality for Petersburg and continue to thoughtfully find ways to create community-changing opportunities for residents.”
The proposed project site is ideally situated at the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95 with easy access on and off the East Coast’s major north-south interstate. Live! Casino Resort will be a catalyst for change and significant economic and tourism development, transforming the City through the creation of a thriving entertainment and hospitality resort destination. The project represents the largest casino resort investment and development role by a minority-owned business group in the country with 50% minority equity participation.
In its first 10 years, the Live! Casino Resort project, if approved by voters, will generate:
- $2.8 billion in economic stimulus to the region
- $504 million in tax revenues including $240 million to Petersburg alone
- $802 million in economic benefits during construction
- $201 million in annual economic benefits each year after opening
- Over 7,500 new construction and permanent jobs including 6,000 construction jobs and 1,500 new living-wage jobs averaging $70,000 in annual compensation with life enhancing benefits and career mobility
Live! Casino Resort will help fund significant projects in Petersburg such as:
- Investments in education
- Workforce development
- Health and Community Hubs
- Partnerships with local colleges to provide mentor and internship programs
- Improvements to streets, water, sidewalks, and lighting
- Upgrades to parks and recreation facilities
- Public safety enhancements and fire protection
- Homeownership programs
Codevelopers Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies intend to quickly open an initial first phase casino a year after all applicable approvals to immediately begin creating jobs, vendor opportunities and tax revenues for the city.
The November 5th ballot question, which reads “Shall casino gaming be permitted as a casino gaming establishment in Petersburg, Virginia located on an approximately 92.5-acre development site located off Interstate-95 at Wagner Road along Brasfield Parkway in the City of Petersburg as may be approved by the Virginia Lottery Board?,” will ask Petersburg residents to allow the development to proceed. Early voting begins Friday, September 20 and runs through Saturday, November 2.
For more information, please visit https://valive.casino.
Image and video files can be downloaded here.
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About Bruce Smith Enterprise
Bruce Smith Enterprise, led by legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame member and Virginia native Bruce Smith, is a commercial real estate firm that specializes in the development of premier mixed-use projects. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, the company has developed notable properties throughout the state and the Mid-Atlantic region that feature the cohesive and seamless integration of residential, hotel, Class A office, and retail space. Since retiring from professional football in 2004 after a prolific 19-year career, the NFL’s All-Time Sack Leader has endeavored to bring the same level of unparalleled excellence, diligence, and leadership that he honed as a veteran on the field to the management of Bruce Smith Enterprise. The successful development of timeless mixed-use properties that survive and withstand trends of the marketplace, strengthen, and invigorate the local economy and create jobs are core values of Bruce Smith Enterprise’s primary mission.
About The Cordish Companies
The Cordish Companies’ origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Gaming & Entertainment; Commercial Real Estate; Entertainment Districts; Sports-Anchored Developments; Hotels; Residential Properties; Restaurants; Coworking Spaces; and Private Equity. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. The Cordish Companies has developed and operates highly acclaimed dining, entertainment and hospitality destinations throughout the United States, many falling under The Cordish Companies’ Live! Brand, highly regarded as one of the premier entertainment brands in the country. Welcoming over 55 million visitors per year, these developments are among the highest profile dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. In gaming, The Cordish Companies has developed among the most successful casino hotel resorts in the world, including the Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos in Hollywood and Tampa, FL, Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Live! Casino Pittsburgh and Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family’s core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information, visit www.cordish.com or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @cordishco.
“The Cordish Companies,” “The Cordish Company” and “Cordish” are trademarks used under license by independent corporations, legal liability companies and partnerships (“Cordish Entities”). Each Cordish Entity is a separate, single-purpose legal entity that is solely responsible for its obligations and liabilities. No common operations or financial interdependency, and no intermingling of assets or liabilities of the Cordish Entities exists, or should be deemed to exist, as a result of the potential common reference to multiple independent entities operating under the names “Cordish,” “The Cordish Companies” or “The Cordish Company” here or elsewhere.
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