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By: Tim Seaman
tseaman@kcautv.com
Executives with Sioux City Entertainment are spending time in Sioux City this week. They're courting local folks with their Hard Rock Casino project. Most people are aware of the iconic Hard Rock empire, but in an effort to learn more about plans for the project.
Tuesday Tim Seaman sat down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with Bill Warner, President of Sioux City Entertainment.
Bill Warner has had a hand in nine casino projects. All from the ground up and all much bigger than Sioux City. But Warner says that doesn't bother him.
"Gaming potential obviously is a factor you have to consider being a casino developer. But it just felt right. When it comes down to it gaming is going to work, regional entertainment works, you just have to look at the investment and amenities you put in relative to what the market is," said Warner.
The Hard Rock Hotel Casino project totals $118 million dollars. The majority of its investors are from outside Sioux City. I asked Mr. Warner what he would say to those people who ask why the project should go to a Las Vegas or Pennsylvania developer when Sioux City has a local group. Why not give them our money and hope they give a lot of it back ?
"We've heard that quite a bit and as part of our RFP we also commit to offering equity locally. What really matters to me locally, is how many job are going to be created. What is the facility going to do to generate job growth. What's it going to do to generate synergy with downtown. What's it going to do to generate revenue to venders we work with so they get more business. And I think when you look at that, it off sets the significance of any local ownership piece," said Warner.
Warner told me Sioux City Entertainment expects to produce between $16 and $18 million dollars in non-gambling revenue in its first year of operation and first year payments to its nonprofit, Missouri River Historical Development will total nearly $4 million dollars.
Warner said, "I think they've done a great job. They have demonstrated over the last 20 years that they take good care of those dollars for the community and giving back significantly. In addition, as a member of the community we're going to give as well. We just look forward to putting out best foot forward and seeing if we can win.
As part of the casino project the Hard Rock would feature a guitar an top of the facility. I asked Mr. Warner how he plans to get the guitar up there. "A crane, Warner said. Again the guitar up on top is an icon a beacon for the people driving right past Sioux City everyday."
