Massachusetts Governor Considers a Gamble

“The video place wants to close. Comcast closed. There was a fruit company across the street -- they left. The taxi company wants to close. . . . There was a flower shop across the street -- she's gone.”

By Keith B. Richburg Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, March 16, 2008; Page A01 PALMER, Mass -- In this once-prosperous, now-depressed former mill town in western Massachusetts, residents casually rattle off ... via The Washington Post

[tricia]

i strongly think that the casino in palmer ma would be a strong asset to our community. we do not have a lot going on here for employment.and yes our town certainly does desperately needs the people to support the CASINO in my opinion. i have a small business in palmer and by the way i see it, we would be helping our future generation,especially for families who's families can't afford to send their graduating students to college. the CASINO would bring jobs to our community for many.

[Mass Native]

I agree, I wish there were other industries that wanted to move in, but they arent knocking on the door

I moved away from the general area 13 yrs ago, born and raised 1 town over. Ironically I tried to find a hotel to visit family just today, there arent any. Ludlow is the closest, and amazingly there are no "suite type" extend stay places anywhere within 20 miles

The area is getting to the point that anything beyond Walmart is leaving it behind.

It may not be a perfect industry, but it would bring money and modernization into an area that desperately needs it