Warren County commissioner Dave Young said that even though he felt like he was sitting down at a poker table opposite experienced gamblers, both taxpayers and racetrack owners have come out ahead on plans for the new Warren County racino.

County Commissioners approved plans for the $175 million new racetrack facility that will include video lottery terminals, to be built at Ohio 63 and Union Road next to Trader’s World and near Interstate 75. The racino is owned by Miami Valley Gaming and Racing, LLC, a joint venture of Delaware North Companies Gaming and Entertainment and Churchill Downs, Inc.

“We are very excited by this development,” Young said. “We try to do things right, we try to do things big and we try to do things that are for the benefit of Warren County taxpayers. This is a very significant investment in the county.”

Officials said the racino will add 750 jobs, including 450 full time jobs. The racino facility will include a 5/8 mile harness racing track with an attached, enclosed grandstand that seats 400; 2,500 VLTs inside a 186,000 square foot building; several eating facilities inside the building and a horse paddock for between 85 and 125 horses.

The county commissioners had not heard one voice of opposition to the overall project, which surprised Young.

The biggest point of contention between commissioners and racino owners was over the size of a sign. While MVGR had initially requested a nearly 200-foot-tall sign, they eventually compromised on a 100-foot sign with 1,500-square-foot LED displays.

“We’ve known for a longtime that the I-75 corridor is the next Southwest Ohio Main Street as growth between Cincinnati and Dayton continues to evolve,” said Commissioner Pat South. “I think this is going to be quite an enhancement to our tourist industry. It is certainly a tax advantage to our school district and the residents of our county because this 120 acres generated zero tax base previously.”

Officials from MVGR said they want to start construction in early-to-mid December with a goal of being open in January 2014. Despite the aggressive construction plans, several steps still need to be completed by the company, notably completing the purchase of the 120 acres the facility is to sit upon and receiving approval from the states’ gambling and lottery commissions to transfer the Lebanon Raceway’s gambling license to the new facility.

The company and county officials must also work out a financial compensation package to pay for upgrades to roads and infrastructure necessitated by the building. The city of Monroe and Turtlecreek Twp. are also negotiating the creation of a Joint Economic Development District around the racino to pay for municipal services to the area and will possibly include the implementation of a winnings tax on gamblers.