MEDIA ALERT - DAVID CORDISH AND Bruce Smith LEAD LOCAL VOTER Canvassing for ‘Vote Yes! Live! Casino

** MEDIA ALERT **

DAVID CORDISH AND Bruce Smith LEAD LOCAL VOTER Canvassing

for ‘Vote Yes! Live! Casino Resort’ Referendum

Final Outreach Push Before Early Voting Ends Saturday, November 2

PETERSBURG, Va. (October 30, 2024) – David Cordish, CEO and Chairman of The Cordish Companies, and Bruce Smith, Owner of Bruce Smith Enterprise, will lead a door-to-door Voter Canvassing Effort on Friday, November 1, with local resident campaign volunteers to support the ‘Vote Yes! Live! Casino Resort’ Referendum.

The ballot referendum question for the November 5 General Election, which reads “Shall casino gaming be permitted at a casino gaming establishment in Petersburg, Virginia located on an approximately 92.5-acre development site located off Interstate-95 at Wagner Road along Brassfield Parkway in the City of Petersburg as may be approved by the Virginia Lottery Board?,” will ask Petersburg voters to allow the Live! Casino Resort development to proceed. 

David Cordish is the third generation of his family to oversee The Cordish Companies.  Under his leadership, the company has a long and successful track record of urban revitalization projects across the country.  This work has earned the Company an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence in recognition of its urban revitalization accomplishments, more than any other developer in the world. The Company’s Live! brand has developed world-class hospitality and entertainment destinations, many of which have played a major role in the rebirth of the cities in which they are located. 

Bruce Smith is a Virginia native, proud Virginia Tech Hokie, Pro Football Hall of Fame Member, Prominent Developer, and Community Leader.  Since retiring from professional football in 2004 after a prolific 19-year career as the NFL’s All-Time Sack Leader, Mr. Smith has endeavored to bring the same level of unparalleled excellence, diligence, and leadership that he honed as a veteran on the field to the management of Bruce Smith Enterprise. Bruce Smith Enterprise, headquartered in Virginia Beach, is a commercial real estate firm that specializes in the development of premier mixed-use projects throughout the Commonwealth and the Mid-Atlantic region.

Voter canvassing will start at 11:00a.m. with David Cordish and Bruce Smith going door-to-door encouraging residents to vote in favor of the $1.4 billion world-class, mixed-use gaming entertainment resort.

WHAT:                Vote Yes! Live! Casino Resort’ Referendum Voter Canvassing

WHEN:                Friday, November 1, 2024

11:00a.m.          

WHERE:              Neighborhood voter canvassing with begin at the intersection of Woodland Road and Overbrook Road in Petersburg

WHO:                  David Cordish – CEO and Chairman, The Cordish Companies

Bruce Smith – Owner of Bruce Smith Enterprise, Pro Football Hall of Fame Member, Developer and Community Leader

Local resident campaign volunteers

BACKGROUND:

Live! Casino Resort will provide substantial benefits to the community and support critical programs for city residents including:

• Investments in education and workforce development
• Partnerships with local colleges to provide mentor and internship programs
• Increased investments in infrastructure and transportation in Petersburg
• Quality health and wellness clinics and local hospitals
• More funding for emergency responders
• Homeownership Programs for Petersburg residents
• Better parks and recreation facilities

The proposed project is a $1.4 billion world-class, mixed-use gaming entertainment resort destination that will set a new standard for development in the Commonwealth, create thousands of jobs, increase tourism and generate billions in economic benefits. The project site is ideally situated at the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95 with easy access on and off the East Coast’s major north-south interstate. Live! Casino Resort will be a catalyst for change and significant economic and tourism development, transforming the City through the creation of a thriving entertainment and hospitality resort destination. If approved by voters this November, the project will generate the following in its first 10 years:

• $2.8 billion in economic stimulus to Petersburg
• $504 million in tax revenues including $240 million to Petersburg
• $802 million in economic benefit during construction
• $201 million in annual economic impact each year after opening
• Over 7,500 new construction and permanent jobs
• Average compensation of $70,000 with benefits

Early voting runs through Saturday, November 2.

For more information, to volunteer, or to get involved, please contact the campaign office at 804-894-8214 or visit our website at www.VoteYesPetersburg.com.

Project Image and video files can be downloaded here.

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Media Contact:            

Andy Poarch

Andy@AllianceGroupLtd.com

804-564-2566