Gilley organizing Country Crossing rally
JIM COOK/Dothan Eagle
Ronnie Gilley talks about the offer to move Country Crossing to Mississippi Saturday during an exclusive interview with the Eagle.
A week ago, Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley was feeling pretty good about the multi-million-dollar entertainment complex under construction on U.S. 231 South.
The project, first proposed by Gilley 11 months ago, was moving along until the governor put together this task force last week looking at the legality of electronic slot machines. Country Crossing’s economic facilitator is an electronic charitable bingo hall that will operate with 1,500 machines.
“We had a moment of peace and silence, then it was shot,” Gilley said.
Some more recent investors pulled from the project. The bulk of those who knew the venture for what it was – risky from the get-go – are still on board.
On New Year’s eve, a casino interest in Gulfport, Miss., tried to recruit Gilley to move the project to the Magnolia State. Gilley said because of family, he does not want to relocate though some investors see the offer as a “back-up plan.”
On Saturday, Gilley said he did experience some sleepless nights last week, as 2009 was swept in with an air of uncertainty. By Sunday night, he had recouped his optimism.
“I am feeling good. Feeling confident,” he said. “I am surrounded by supporters as we speak.”
Gilley is in the midst of planning a second Country Crossing support rally, similar to one held last spring which showed one local politician and others in opposition, that many do want the jobs, the outlet and the opportunities the project is expected to bring – even with the bingo component.
Gilley is currently working on getting singer and actor Jamie Foxx in for the rally, as well as a major country music star. He expects the event to happen within the next three weeks at the Dothan Civic Center. The rally could be moved to the Country Crossing site if more space is needed.
Gilley re-emphasized his commitment to keep the project in Houston County.
“We have no intentions of moving this project. We would have to be ran out before we leave. I have my heart, body, soul, money ... everything I have is invested in this project. We are going to ride it out and I am confident we will bring it to fruition.”
The Enterprise native said he does remain frustrated at the continued opposition to bingo, which currently operates in other parts of the state.
“The food and beverage industry is risky,” he said. “This project is not possible without some kind of main anchor tenant. Whether it is bingo, slot machines, or a lottery – people will play. They will play it anyway.
“What we are doing that is different is, we are going to use the bingo to create more opportunity. That’s opportunity for ourselves sure, but also opportunity for other people. Opportunity like no one has ever seen before.”
Gilley’s first-ever BamaJam festival last June drew upwards of 150,000 people from 29 states. He expects eventually every weekend at Country Crossing to become like a mini BamaJam.
Since the onset of the project, Gilley has taken a grassroots approach in fighting the the politicians and the preachers. Supporters of the project are vocal, and during BamaJam, Gilley often took to the stage and urged the crowd to take a hard look at their elected politicians.
“Politics is an ugly, ugly, ugly business,” Gilley said Saturday. “This project is economic development. Why would the governor be against it? At some point, somebody has to start standing up. This project is crucial to the state. We need support and we need people to come together.”
The rally date and entertainers could be announced as early as today.
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Reader Reactions
Dear dalecountymom:
Get out a little bit more, huh? AL does currently have gambling.
Ever hear of Victory Land?
http://www.victoryland.com/
Further, your dreams of cleaning up politics and adding morality to it in hopes of cutting spending and having more dollars for education reminds me of the chances of winning the FL lotto. Live in the real world. Your idea will never happen.
I currently live in Biloxi, MS but originally from Ozark. I’m sure the folks here in Biloxi would love to see it moved here. However, I hope the folks of Alabama will do whatever is necessary to keep it in Dothan. I can tell you the casino business on the MS gulf coast has made a huge positive impact on our area. Schools and infrastructure have drastically improved based on the taxes generated from the casinos. Thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, have been generated. The MS gulf coast is a better place since gambling was legalized in our state – I hope the good folks of the Wiregrass area will also be able to benefit from Country Crossing.
For better or worse, this project is a much needed shot in the arm. If managed correctly, this could be the start of a long term project to renovate or possibly elevate the Wiregrass to a community of stature that deserves respect.
With Ft. Rucker bringing international guests into the area and the surrounding cities trying to bring new jobs back through these contacts, Country Crossing can only help. Corporations don’t want to build factories in cotton or peanut fields; they want factories in places where there is activity for their employees.
I support this project in the hopes that it lifts the Wiregrass and shows the world how good the area really is.
But be careful, ladies and gentlemen; with all the infighting over this, there are many eyes seeing a side of us that isn’t so complimentary.
If you don’t like the way this state operates, then go to another one. I however, like the fact that this state does not cave into the pressure of having gambling venues being allowed to operate. This is one of the last state’s in this country to have a moral backbone and I would like to see that it remains that way.
If we wish to have better funding for education and such, then cut some of the free spending our politicians are doing and cut all of the lobbyist spending and the education budget will have an awesome overflow. DO NOT RELY ON GAMBLING TO FIX OUR STATE’S FINANCIAL WOES.
CUT UNNECESSARY SPENDING IN OUR CAPITAL AND YOU WILL FIND A TON OF MONEY TO NOT ONLY FIX WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM BUT ALSO HEAL OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM. AND THEN WE WILL START TO GROW AS A STATE.
I’m a lifelong resident of AL. A husband, father, musician, and a working tax payer in the state of AL. I fully support the Country Crossing project. (Mr. Gilley, please know that my family and I will be at the upcoming rally in support of this project.)
I have 3 areas of comments to make concerning Governor Riley’s recent attack on this project:
1) My wife and I have travelled somewhat through the states of GA and FL - mostly FL. We’ve noticed the effect the state lotterys have had on both of those states. We’ve seen new schools, schools being improved, new/improved government service buildings, etc. Better retirement plans for teachers. Scholarship funds for students who are residents of those states. The list goes on. Those are facts people. Judge for yourself.
2) I’ve loved the state of AL for my entire life, but I have to admit something. I’ve seen first hand how the “laws” of this state are interpreted by the “good ‘ole boys”. It nothing more than the “who do you know” philosophy. That, fellow Alabamians, is the way things are currently done in the state of AL. The “laws” are interpreted by those in power according to who greases the politicians hand with the most grease.
3) I’m growing very tired of living in this state. I don’t see any viable economic future plans being sought out by many politicians in office. AL is stuck in the middle of 3 states - MS, GA, and FL, that are taking economic measures to help PEOPLE (see point #1) AL, on the other hand, remains a 20th century backwoods approach to status quo idiocracy.
Like it, or hate it, GA, FL and MS are generating millions of dollars in revenue from gambling. That’s a fact. And a lot of that money comes from residents of AL. That’s a fact too.
If this roadblock by Governor Riley and his “task force” stops this incredible economic project, and we sit idly by and let it happen, then we are going to continue to watch AL dollars continue to provide funding for the future of the residents of FL, GA, and MS. In the meantime, we, the residents of AL and in particular the Dothan area, can look forward to the same old status quo.
You need to think about that. If you’re happy with your economic status, fine. It won’t change. Change is what brings about changes - the opposite of the status quo.
I wish everyone whould just let him build this and let the bingo or what ever he wants to have in thear be thear. It will bring Jobs to dothan Ozark all over the area as well as more bissnisse for the rest of us. We need the jobs and the money all you bible thumpers just need to get off your high hourse case you know alot of you go to Fl for bingo or someone in your famley gos so why give other states our money whan we can have it stay right hear!!!!!!!!!! Wake up Wiergrass this is a good chance for us why fight it?
For thiuse who say that it whould ruien famleys becase of the gambling well if they do not do it hear they will do it some waers else .
I agree with Ronnie. Folks need to get their facts straight. I travel with my job and I have worked in many different states. Alabama is always the last to do anything. They were the last (or next to last) to require proof of insurance in order to get an automobile tag. People in other states were amazed at that little fact. I have lived in Alabama all my life. My family is here. I plan to die here and I have a right to my views. I don’t like having to go to another state for entertainment. I do realize that management cost are high but there are still millions going to government and schools. I have been to Las Vegas and I did not gamble. I went to watch the shows and thats what I want to do here but also, if I do want to gamble I am an adult and feel I have that right. I would rather the tax money (or a portion of it) stay in Alabama. It’s just like my Dad always said about the wet/dry election in Geneva County. It will never go wet. He said the Baptist and the Bootleggers keep it dry. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a Baptist but I do try to have an open mind. I still say people with a gambling problem will find a way until they get help. There are lots of people like me out there that can play bingo without being hooked and would love to be able to see music shows without going to another state.
Hey Kolk…boy you’re something else with your holier than thow speaches. Don’t count Senator Smith out so soon as per my recolection she lost that election because she opposed our project not because she was in support. In fact when she stood against…I think she dropped over 26 points in the poles in less than 10 days. After she retracted her bill and her opponent stood against our project she made up dramatic ground and almost won…in case you forgot. Oh yeah the one who stood by you on his Christian moral issues ended loosing the election…in case you forgot. But again, we’ve already proved we never gave Senator Smith any money. So please don’t go there again. If you’re going to present the facts…get them straight first my friend.
I wish you the best.
JKolkman…I have a rebuttal for your comments but not tonight as I’m tired and sleepy. We shall follow up on this one tomorrow as it is imperitive the true facts are represented with this project. It never ceases to amaze me how people such as yourself can just continue to misrepresent the facts to your followers. and it seems you go through such great efforts to articulate your case. Stay tuned…we shall enlighten you once again tomorrow. If you’re going to present facts….get them straight.
I wish you the best.
Justpeachy, If it is just so boring, maybe you should move “permanently” to where you can have all the sin you want without corrupting our communities and families, you’ll save so much money and have all the adult fun without us Christains and family folks corrupting you….“I hear Vegas is calling” you….
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