It was Feb. 10 of last year when executives with Penn National Gaming came to town announcing plans for a multi-million dollar facility at Centerpointe Industrial Park off Route 46 in Austintown.
But no dirt has been turned and at least one area lawmaker is getting a little antsy.
"And I don't want people to get frustrated and think this is just another pipe dream, this is just another crazy idea that comes and goes by the wayside," said Ohio Sen. Joe Schiavoni, D-Canfield.
Now comes word of a possible change in plans for the project. In Penn National's just released financial report, the company CEO is quoted suggesting a harness facility in Toledo will now be moved to the Dayton area, while an existing thoroughbred permit would be transferred from suburban Columbus to the site in Austintown.
Valley lawmakers said there are still some important hurdles to cross, but call this latest development a good sign.
"It's been brought to my attention that the fact is that they haven't come to an agreement on how much it's going to cost to move the race track from one location to another in the state, but all the other regulations have been set or are being set and I'm confident that this is going to take place," Schiavoni said.
"The Dayton property that Penn has purchased is not large enough apparently for the thoroughbred track, so it looks like Beulah Park comes to the Mahoning Valley. That's our hope," said State Rep. Ron Gerberry, D-Austintown.
While executives have long tied their plans to getting approval for the use of video lottery terminals at horse tracks, Gerberry said lawmakers could pass rules next week covering not only the VLTs, but also track transfers and those four new casinos now being built around the state.
"This is extremely complex and you better get it right. And we're trying to do it right," Gerberry said.
While lawmakers are confident the track will be built, Schiavoni wants to see more from Penn National.
"I would like them to come here and I would like them to reaffirm the fact that they're still interested, they're looking, they're moving forward. And we need that," Schiavoni said.
Officials with Penn National have said repeatedly they're waiting for approval of those VLTs as well as a resolution of a lawsuit aimed at keeping the machines from being used before they move ahead with their plans.
And while work continues toward bringing a track and slot machines to this area, officials in Lawrence County think a casino project there is definitely on a fast track.
Lawrence County Commissioners said executives with American Harness Tracks could file their application with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board within the next six weeks. The company already has been awarded a harness license for the proposed Valley View Downs project for Mahoning Township.
As part of the state's review process, public hearings would be held in both Lawrence County and in Harrisburg. Commissioners think if all goes as planned, approval for the casino could come by the end of the year.
