It will run throughout the city’s selection process until the voter referendum on Nov. 2
B
ally’s Corporation on Tuesday launched its “Bally’s For RVA” campaign to create awareness of the “Bally’s Richmond Casino Resort” — a $650 million project that, according to the company, will generate significant economic stimulus and create substantial employment opportunities for the residents and small businesses of Richmond, Virginia.
The campaign is expected to run throughout the city’s selection process, which will culminate with a voter referendum scheduled to occur on November 2, 2021.
The Bally’s Richmond campaign, which adopted “Bally’s For RVA” as its slogan and #BallysForRVA, seeks to inform Richmond’s constituents of the project’s components that will support RVA’s growth and development, including a $100 million upfront payment to the City of Richmond; 4,300 construction jobs and more than 2,000 permanent jobs upon completing the project; 3.7 million visitors expected annually; $5.3 billion in economic value generated over a 10-year period; and $30 million in annual economic activity and spending, plus an additional 289 jobs created through Bally’s innovative “Richmond Rewards” program.
George Papanier, President and CEO of Bally’s Corp., said in a press release: “We have deep conviction in our commitment to Richmond, which is why we chose the slogan ‘Bally’s For RVA’ to guide our campaign. Our community-first policy is a fundamental element of who we are as a company. Within each locality where we operate, we build strong, lasting partnerships with residents and businesses.”
Additionally, through Bally’s partnerships with the Lanier Family, Warren Thompson of Thompson Hospitality, and other minority supplier organizations such as the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council and the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce, Bally’s will:
- Partner with historically Black colleges and universities to provide education and training opportunities, internship programs and prospects for long-term employment;
- Promote careers within the hospitality industry, providing a rotational management training program, job-shadowing workshops and opportunities to local students and individuals;
- Sponsor its minority investor partners’ work and local charitable organizations;
- Leverage its 15+ million player database and the Bally’s Richmond state-of-the-art visitor center to drive traffic to the greater Richmond area, transforming it into a tourism hub; and
- Work with the City and local organizations to ensure residents and business owners have a voice in the project and the future opportunities that it will create.
Willie Lanier, Sr., NFL Hall of Famer, said: “It is our hope that, through this campaign, Richmonders will gain a greater understanding of how the Bally’s Richmond Casino Resort will contribute significantly to the greater Richmond community.”
Marc Crisafulli, Executive Vice President Strategy and Operations of Bally’s Corp., said: “We are in it to win it. We hope that the residents and small business owners of the City of Richmond appreciate how much we want to partner with them on this exciting adventure. We want to be woven into the fabric of this great community. We are for RVA.”
The media campaign will also focus on and promote additional attractive qualities of Bally’s proposal, including a:
- Strategically-situated site located at the intersection of the Powhite and Chippenham Parkways on the western border of the City;
- 4-star, 250-key hotel that will increase the desirability for MICE (meeting, incentive, convention, exhibition) activities in Richmond;
- 117,500 square foot casino featuring an elevated design consisting of the most current gaming components, including 2,500 slot machines, 90 table games, 30 poker tables, a High Limit Gaming area and a VIP lounge;
- 45,000 square foot, multi-use event center with 3,000 high-quality seats, a permanent stage and a state-of-the-art sound system that will attract musical acts of all genres to Richmond and will also be available for art exhibitions, sports events and other performances;
- Indoor/outdoor pool;
- 16,000 square foot multi-dimensional spa, salon and health club;
- 13 distinct food and beverage options featuring locally sourced vendors;
- 3,000-spot environmentally responsible parking facility that will accommodate the 3.7 million visitors expected annually and provide preferred parking for green vehicles and
- Visitor center offering a full range of services that will help guests access local Richmond sites, museums and other attractions throughout the City.