New Casino, Big Economic Impact

December 15, 2009

(DODGE CITY, Kan.)

The doors that opened for hundreds of anxious gamblers on Tuesday have allowed a different door to open for many more.

"I pretty much decided right off the bat that this is what I wanted to do, I needed a change," explains Bonnie Simmons.

She is one of nearly 300 people already hired to staff the new Boot Hill Casino and Resort, a job she never imagined she'd be doing.

'Never dreamt it, never. I think if you ask a lot of people that's the reaction you would get because who ever thought Dodge City would get a casino."

Shock echoing from her office to offices of local business owners. "Independent businesses like mine are kind of a dying breed and so it's really good to have a new influx of people who are working and living in Dodge City. So, it's all good," said Kathleen Simmons, Owner of the Shoe Fetish.

You may not think a shoe store would directly benefit from a casino, but Simmons is confident good things will trickle down her way.

"When we get people from outside of Dodge City coming in, they're going to travel around the town."

Want proof? Cup of Jo-nes coffee shop opened a year ago with hopes of capitalizing on casino customers. And in the past few weeks, each time Boot Hill held a practice gaming night business at the coffee shop went up.

"It's been very successful and I'm excited and I think that does become contagious," said owner Robert Jones.

Excitement spreading right back into the offices where it started and where it will continue. Simmons adds, "I think we're going to grow. I think its going to be a great growing opportunity for Dodge City.

The casino is still looking to hire 30 to 40 more employees. For more information click here.

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