subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Sat, Nov 07 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
email this story   E-mail this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos


Globe/Roger Nomer Fran Wallain, a retired Carthage schoolteacher, fans out cards at a blackjack table at the Downstream Casino just west of Joplin. Wallain said her job as a dealer pays well and is fun.

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



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!



Featured Jobs

BUSY LAW OFFICE
Seeking experienced secretary. Good typing, computer and secretarial skills required. Position includes both secretarial...>MORE

HAIR STYLIST
for Carthage salon.
417-388-2074.
...>MORE

SALES
NYSE and Co., opening a new division. Will train. Looking for full-time or part-time. Call Mike, (417)448-4732....>MORE

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Work along side and direct physically and mentally challenged adults in a work setting. Starts $8.00-$10.00 per hour. Co...>MORE

3 BOOTH RENTALS
small salon atmosphere, lots of exposure, 15th/Main. 417-529-8646...>MORE

TELLER
Local credit union has opening for part time teller 25-35 hours per week, experience preferred. Apply in person Joplin M...>MORE

3RD PARTY LOGISTICS COMPANY

Looking for sales people with transportation sales experience, also broker agents. Please send resume to P.O. Box
...>MORE

MEMBER SERVICES ASSOCIATES
The Freeman Southwest Family YMCA in Neosho, MO has two openings for
Member Services Associates.
These part-t
...>MORE

MARS PET CARE

in Miami Ok. is now accepting applications for a Lead A position, on 2nd or 3rd shift. The position requires a hi
...>MORE

HIRING HAIR STYLIST
NOW HIRING HAIR STYLIST. Fun and energetic salon. 417-845-0555, Tanya....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

2001 FORD WINDSTAR
Super sharp, loaded, cold air front and rear, extra clean, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

JEEP, 1999 GRAND CHEROKEE,
4x4, automatic, loaded, new tires, $3200. 434-7382....>MORE

1999 FORD F350
crew cab, 7.3 diesel, 4x4, white, Astro top, best offer. 434-3995...>MORE

1998 OLDSMOBILE REGENCY
127,000 miles, nice and clean, $3420. 529-2207....>MORE

TOYOTA, 2009 CAMRY LE,
excellent conditon, black/tan, 29,500 miles, bought from Fletcher, warranty, $18,900. 417-793-1613...>MORE

1989 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD
Low miles, must sell. (417)396-3950....>MORE

1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, automatic, cold air, CD, extra nice, $2400. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

1993 ISUZU TROOPER
$2000 Good Interior Needs tune up. 417-396-8811....>MORE

2007 NISSAN MURANO
All wheel drive, 47,000 miles, leather, excellent condition, received a company car and do not need extra vehicle. $17,9...>MORE

2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
4x4, asking $4500. (417)850-2454....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

3 BR, 7 YEAR OLD
like new, all electric, 10 minutes to Neosho, 20 minutes to Joplin. No Smoking, No Pets, $700 Month, $350 Deposit. (417)...>MORE

Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE

1219 XENIA COURT
OPEN SUNDAY 2-4 P.M. 3 br, 2 ba, $84,000. 629-6135....>MORE

DEERFIELD ESTATES
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE

BY OWNER REDUCED PRICE!
3 br, 2 ba, 1840 sq. ft., remodeled, all new interior, new roof, $79,900. 436 N. Wall, Joplin. 240-432-8336....>MORE

3 BR, 1 BA, 827 S. PICHER
central heat/air, refrigerator, stove $500/$500. 437-6365....>MORE

819 A STREET
Charming 2 story, 2 bedroom home with a lot of character. Hardwood floors, huge screened porch, central heat and air, co...>MORE

BY OWNER: 3 BR, 2 BA
1880 sq. ft., Cedar Ridge subdivision $189,900 417-621-5098...>MORE

2 BR, 9523 HIGHWAY NN
$450/$400; 417-592-2088....>MORE

HISTORICAL ROCK FILLING STATION

on Route 66 with lots of updates This solid old building has 1200 sq. ft. on 100x100 lot, on Main Street of Carter
...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

14 WEEK-10 WEEK OLD MORKIE
males, $200. Papillion females, $200. 417-548-2433....>MORE

KENNELL REDUCTION
Chihuahua’s and French Bulldog’s, AKC, pups to young adults, very nice, Chihuahua’s $100/up, Frenchis, $900/up. (417)394...>MORE

2008 POLARIS TRAILBLAZER 330
2 wheel drive, like new, $2300. (918)961-8995....>MORE

COUCH
full size, with pillows, light pastel colors, lavender and blue, no cats, no dogs, no kids, $150 or offer. 624-2197....>MORE

YORKIE, POMERANIAN AND SILKY PUPPIES
wanting forever homes. Well socialized. Prices $75-$300. Early Christmas presents (417)652-7510, leave message. ...>MORE

CHIHUAHUAS
Chorkies, WaPoos, Shih-Tzus, just in time for Christmas. $85 to $250. Registered and shots 417-438-6057...>MORE

2 CREMATION NICHES
2 CREMATION NICHES Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, moving must sell quick. Call Carolyn, (417)624-3017....>MORE

COFFEE, END AND ENTRY TABLE
coffee, end and entry tables, Nordic Track Walk Fit, sewing machine desk, (417)206-4958....>MORE

TWO LIVING ESTATE SALES, ONE SITE

Saturday, November 7, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
28245 Fir Road, Carl Junction, MO.
Follow signs.
Downsizing
...>MORE

BOW FLEX EXTREME HOME GYM

(417)438-9041
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition