In a business world recently turned upside down by the near collapse of the national economy, the fact that Suffolk Downs is still operating at 75 is something to cheer about.
Local horseracing has seen much better times since the race track opened in 1935 during the Great Depression but Suffolk Downs remains open, with a full schedule of live racing for the 2010 season.
More importantly, Suffolk Downs is one of this area’s larger employers and taxpayers – a generator of business with a myriad of vendors throughout the region.
Its economic viability is of great importance to the local economy – and hundreds of residents are employed at Suffolk Downs and have been for many, many years.
The debate about whether or not Suffolk Downs’ owners should be granted a casino license as part of the expanded gaming bill now being studied by the State Senate and already approved by the House is more than a political issue.
It is an economic issue.
Suffolk’s future is about this city’s future.
It is about the development of 2,500 jobs. It is also about putting to work hundreds of union tradesmen and contractors. And it is about creating new revenue streams, new tax revenues and new business that will allow the city to flourish.
We wish Suffolk Downs a happy anniversary on reaching 75.
We hope Suffolk Downs gets a casino license.
We know the track owners will do the right thing.
The well being of Suffolk Downs in the years to come is all about our well-being.
This should never be forgotten in the debate over expanded gambling.