BY GARTH STAPLEY
Modesto Focus
The vision of a tribal casino funding emergency medical services on Stanislaus County’s west side was revisited at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
The board unanimously approved spending $28 million on well improvements needed to bring water to a 1,528-acre former naval air base, and to the small town of Crows Landing. Leaders have long hoped to transform the abandoned air base into an industrial business park with thousands of good-paying jobs.
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Before the vote, Supervisor Terry Withrow shared misgivings about spending a total of $43 million to attract companies without anything materializing in the 15 years he’s been in county leadership. Much of that went toward environmental studies, consulting, engineering work and planning.
“What’s the return on investment so far?” Withrow asked. “I would say, at this point, nothing, and I’m getting more and more nervous. If it’s a viable venture, the private sector will get involved. Public government shouldn’t continue to prop it up.”
Crows Landing is in the county district represented by Supervisor Channce Condit, who noted in an Aug. 29 Modesto Focus exclusive that he’s coordinating with an unnamed tribe to explore establishing a casino. A portion of its proceeds could be dedicated toward developing a hospital to provide emergency care to west side residents. The region currently lacks around-the-clock or life-saving emergency medical service on weekends and after hours on weekdays.
The casino-medical vision is “a little creative, outside the box, outside the norm,” Condit said. He urged support for the Crows Landing well that’s needed to spur a business park “as an economic engine for Stanislaus County.”
County CEO Jody Hayes said his team feels the well is a worthy investment that may unlock interest in development. Whether a casino fits into environmental studies already completed for the site will be determined, he said.
Garth Stapley is the accountability reporter for The Modesto Focus, a project of the nonprofit Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. Contact him at garth@cvlocaljournalism.org.
