Letter-writing Campaign Supports Bedford Downs

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Although community protests and other problems are bringing attention to other applicants for state horse racing licenses, Bedford Downs Management Corporation announced today that it has received nearly 5,000 individual letters of support from Western Pennsylvania residents and business owners, and more are arriving daily.

"At the pace these letters are arriving, we fully expect to have 10,000 letters by the end of the month," said Carmen W. Shick, president of Bedford Downs Management Corporation, an applicant for a racing license from Lawrence County. "I made the suggestion at a recent regional business development meeting and offered to provide the paper and the postage - but this outpouring is just phenomonal. It's like a great Christmas present from the whole community."

"Because the horse racing business is licensed by the State, part of this process is economic and part is political," Shick continues. "In this case the political support is truly grass roots, as it should be. It's extraordinary to me that while some other developers are confronted with angry crowds of citizen protestors, here we can offer the decision-makers perhaps 10,000 letters of support--and that's probably just the tip of the iceberg--so it represents a lot of western Pennsylvania voters who do not want to be passed over for jobs and opportunity."

Shick also made note of recent news reports regarding pending state senate action on racing and gaming legislation. "A study paid for by members of the Senate produced a best-case scenario for economic benefit to the state. It showed that a Lawrence County site for a track or casino would deliver the best return for the citizens of Pennsylvania. This independent study just confirms what we have been saying all along," Shick said. "We understand there's another independent study out there that also identifies Lawrence County as a winning location but it hasn't yet been disclosed to the public for some reason."

In addition to its grass roots support and the economic development studies, Bedford Downs has received the unanimous support of adjacent governments including the support of every township supervisor in the 17 townships surrounding the Bedford Downs site, both political parties, numerous local and regional political officials and the leading Standardbred horse breeders of Pennsylvania.

The proposed Bedford Downs facility, located on a 550-acre site near New Castle, Penn., promises 500 to 700 new jobs in the first phase of construction. Bedford Downs Management Corporation is a 100% Pennsylvania-based company.

Bedford Downs is a $65 million entertainment facility and will be the largest of its kind in all of Pennsylvania. The first phase will include the racetrack with pavilion, grandstands, an entertainment complex, restaurants and concessions. Second phase construction plans include a hotel, residential living, and commercial development. Construction will begin upon granting of the license and, weather permitting, the first phase is scheduled for completion in 12 months. For more information visit www.BedfordDownsRacing.com.

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