Allegany County Chamber Refuses to Follow State Lead on Slot Casinos

Annapolis, MD – Yesterday, the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce debated whether to take a position on the upcoming slots Constitutional Amendment- Question 2. The Allegany Chamber declined to follow the Maryland Chamber's lead and declined to lend its support to the referendum citing the need for more information concerning the negative social and economic impact of slots (see below).

ALLEGANY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
24 FREDERICK STREET
CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 21502
301-722-2820

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Contact: Barbara Buehl, Chamber President
301-722-2820
September 3, 2008

At the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, the slots referendum was the focus of discussion. The Board supports the use of funds from slots, should they become legal, to help fund the educational needs throughout the state.

However, as a business advocate, and with the best interest of the general public at heart, the Board decided it does not have enough information on the positive and negative economic impact on local business or the general public to be able to give support to the referendum. Issues such as payments to the County, placing such an establishment on public ground, negative social effects, and possible impact to local businesses will continue to be researched by the Chamber.