|
|
Published July 03, 2009 10:44 pm - When she retired after 23 years as instrumental music teacher at Carthage Junior High School, Fran Wallain had some ideas about her next career. “I don’t want a sad job,” Wallain said. “I don’t want a hard job. I want a fun job.” Wallain will tell anyone who asks that she found that fun job as a card dealer at Downstream Casino Resort.
Downstream notes $107 million impact in first year
By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
When she retired after 23 years as instrumental music teacher at Carthage Junior High School, Fran Wallain had some ideas about her next career.
“I don’t want a sad job,” Wallain said. “I don’t want a hard job. I want a fun job.”
Wallain will tell anyone who asks that she found that fun job as a card dealer at Downstream Casino Resort.
The casino opened a year ago Sunday, with the hotel opening last Nov. 22. The $200 million casino and hotel are just west of Joplin, off the Baxter Springs, Kan., exit to Interstate 44, where Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas meet.
Economic impact
Sean Harrison, casino spokesman, said in its first year, Downstream has been an economic stimulus for the area. Harrison said Downstream has made an impact of about $107 million on the area economy in its first year. That includes payments to area vendors totaling about $77.5 million, and payroll and benefits totaling nearly $29 million.
The state of Oklahoma also has received revenues from the Quapaw Tribe from Downstream and Quapaw Casino totaling about $4.5 million during the fiscal year that just ended, according to the Office of State Finance.
Of the vendor money, Oklahoma vendors have received $58 million of the total; Missouri vendors, $16 million; Kansas vendors, nearly $2 million; and Arkansas vendors, about $1.5 million.
Harrison said Downstream started with about 1,250 employees on opening day, when 10,000 people came through the doors. He said since then, through being more efficient and by natural employee attrition, the employee ranks have decreased to between 1,100 and 1,150.
He said there never was any consideration of layoffs, because business has been so good.
Wallain has been employed there since the first day. She said she interviewed with a person, who called her soon after to ask if she would like to go to dealer school.
While still teaching, she took classes to be a dealer from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday for about two months.
Eye-opener
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
|
|
1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE
1989 CHEVROLET STEPSIDE
350, V8, custom flames, runs great, $2500. 417-208-6717...>MORE
2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
4 door, luxury leather trim, loaded, CD, sunroof, beautiful rig, extra nice, $4500. 1317 Schifferdecker...>MORE
1999 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED
4x4, leather loaded, $3500. 417-850-0731....>MORE
2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
4 door, sharp, loaded, leather, CD, sunroof, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1993 CHEVROLET LONG BED
runs good, 4.3 V6, new transmission, needs body parts, $400. (417)438-2508...>MORE
HONDA 2001 CIVIC EX
HONDA, 2001 Civic EX, 4 door, automatic, 94,000 miles, $5800; 1998 Accord, 4 door, $4200; 1999 Honda Prelude, automatic...>MORE
JEEP 2000 CHEROKEE SPORT
JEEP, 2000 Cherokee Sport, 6 1/2” lift, 35” foggers, locked front end, welded rear end, off road use, winch not included...>MORE
See all ads |
|
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
See all ads |
|
POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE
NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE
(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
ANGUS HEIFERS
6 Augus heifers, good foundation stock. (417)358-7519...>MORE
YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!
6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch...>MORE
ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE
5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|