KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana |Rita Claims More Jobs
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December 6, 2005
Reported by Vince Atkinson
The toll from this year's hurricane season is still growing. Jobs are still being lost because of the storms. Now, casino giant Harrah's says it is laying off nearly nine thousand workers along the Gulf Coast and that includes workers in the Lake Area. Harrah's Lake Charles has been out of business since the storm came ashore. Still, the company agreed to pay 90 days of salaries and wages for employees, but now those benefits are about to run out.
The damage at Harrah's in Lake Charles is obvious to anyone driving by on Interstate 10. The now beached casino provided 14 hundred jobs to folks living in Southwest Louisiana and made up a huge part of the tax base for the city of Lake Charles. Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach says, "We get a little over $6,000,000 in gaming revenue. That money goes into our capital account and forms a large part of the capital budget that we have to spe
Many casino employees want to know when they can expect to go back to work. Officials with Harrah's say they have no idea, but city leaders feel confident that the casino will return eventually. Roach says, "I don't think they have made any firm decisions yet, but I think they are serious about doing business here in Lake Charles." If and when Harrah's does rebuild in Lake Charles, do not expect to see the same type of set up. A spokesperson with Harrah's tells 7 News that the casino would have to be dramatically redesigned to better withstand hurricanes. Roach says, "Obviously they need to look at a different structure and a different type of construction. That is no matter whether they stay where they are or if they move to a differ
Once the storm damaged casinos are back up and running, Harrah's has promised to give first consideration to displaced employees. Unfortunately, that does little for folks that are looking for work right now.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board is holding a meeting next week. After that we should have a better understanding of where Harrah's is headed in Lake Charles.
