BARSTOW • For more than a decade, the city has been pursuing an Indian gaming casino with hopes to spur economic development and add more than 1,000 jobs to the area.
The Barstow City Council approved a $4,000 per month state lobbyist contract with Joe A. Gonsalves & Son to push for support of Barstow Casino and Resort at the state Legislature.
The proposed $160 million Los Coyotes Barstow development is expected to create more than 1,000 permanent jobs and 1,065 construction jobs to Barstow and its surrounding areas, said Assistant City Manager Oliver Chi in an email.
“More recently, it became apparent that the city needed a more proactive presence in the state capital,” Chi said. “In addition to the Indian gaming casino project, issues such as the dissolution of redevelopment agencies and the passage of unfunded local mandates created the need for Barstow to be more involved in Sacramento.”
The city will monitor legislation that would impact Barstow, such as working with the State Water Resources Control Board on wastewater treatment plant and flood control improvements, Chi said.
Barstow has budgeted $50,000 from its general fund for the contract, which may be terminated with 30 days notice at any time.
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