Downstream notes $107 million impact in first year

July 03, 2009 10:43 pm

— 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
Wallain said she has played blackjack before, but the classes were an eye-opener.
“There’s so much more to it than I ever imagined,” Wallain said.
She said her job is great.
“I make more money at 60 than I’ve ever made in my life,” Wallain said.
She said the casino pays 100 percent of the health insurance premium in a package that includes dental and vision coverage. There’s a matching 401(k) plan in which she participates. The casino provides uniforms and one free meal in the employee dining area. A second meal is $5. There are frequent breaks.
“They make you feel like you’re part of the family,” she said.
She said she has fun and she makes sure the people at her tables have fun.
“I have never enjoyed a job more than this one, going to play cards all day,” she said.
She said many of the casino visitors are from Springfield and Branson, in Missouri. Harrison said visitors also have come from both coasts and probably every state.
Harrison said plans for a second hotel have been placed on the back burner, as has a planned spa. He said progress on the plans will depend largely on the economy.
A 10,000-square-foot pavilion, suitable for large groups, will open at the end of the month, he said. It can accommodate conventions, large group dinners and concerts.
John Berrey, chairman of the Quapaw Tribe’s business committee and the Downstream Development Authority, said he was happy with what has been accomplished for the area.
“We’ve been holding our own in a tough economy,” Berrey said. “That is something to celebrate with our communities, but we also have a long way to go.”
Wallain said she would continue working there until she no longer can.
“We have a lot of fun,” she said.

First-year numbers
Sean Harrison, spokesman for Downstream Casino Resort, said 35 percent of casino customers come from the immediate area, with the remaining 65 percent from outside the area. The casino has had nearly 200,000 registered guests in its first year.

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