Proposed Wood Village casino will benefit homeless, backers say

WOOD VILLAGE, Ore. — The mayor of Wood Village thinks "three" is his town's lucky number. In 2010 and 2012, two businessmen attempted to bring a casino to Wood Village. Both times it was voted down, but this time, Mayor T. Scott Harden says things are different.

"The new major beneficiary of the dollars will be our homelessness efforts," said Harden. "I think in a lot of people's mind this would get them to think. It might be the tipping point for a lot of voters."

The proposed casino was first brought up by R&S Strategy Group, LLC in 2010. It was voted down then and again in 2012. Both times, the major beneficiary was schools. Harden says schools will still get some money, but the focus will be on fixing the homeless problem in the state.

"If you have a taxpaying casino that is popular, that people go to, then you are looking at permanent funding for permanent solutions to the homeless crisis," Harden said.

R&S Strategy was not available on Friday for comment but sent the following news release to KATU earlier this week.

R & S Strategy Group, LLC is pleased to announce that it has filed statewide initiatives that will provide permanent funding for homelessness and schools through voter approval of Oregon’s first taxpaying casino.

R&S Strategy Group, LLC holds a Real Estate Purchase Option on a 33-acre parcel, just north of I-84, in the commercial and industrial business area of Wood Village, Oregon.

The principals of R & S Strategy Group, Matt Rossman and Bruce Studer have met with Wood Village city officials and other stakeholders to discuss the proposed development that would include a resort casino and entertainment center.

Wood Village Mayor Scott Harden said, “I support this project. We look forward to working with Matt and Bruce for approval of a taxpaying casino that will strengthen our communities by providing much needed permanent funding for homelessness solutions.”

Studer said, “Permanent funding is critical if we’re going to effectively deal with homelessness.” Rossman said, “It is projected that the taxpaying casino will generate $100 million every year for homelessness programs and Oregon schools.”

Former Wood Village Mayor and Council member Patricia Smith said, “Matt and Bruce have been long time friends of the city and their location for a resort destination is ideal. Our community needs the jobs and benefits that this development will offer.”

While city officials endorse the proposed idea, nothing can be done until state law is changed. Currently, in Oregon, casinos can only be on the lands of a federally recognized tribe.

KATU reached out to area casinos to see what they thought about this proposed change, but they did not immediately respond.