In West Memphis, Arkansas, Southland Casino Racing’s owner Delaware North $250 million expansion will include a 113,000-square-foot casino complex with sports betting areas, 2,400 gaming machines, 60 table games; new dining options; a 20-story, 300-room hotel tower; and 1,250-vehicle parking garage. The entire expansion, expected to be completed in early 2021, will create 1,500 construction jobs and 400 new permanent jobs, raising Southland’s total employment to 1,200 workers.
The new project follows a $38 million investment in 2015 which added hundreds of new games and a rock ’n’ roll-themed restaurant.
Southland President and General Manager David Wolf said the new additions will give the venue a competitive edge in the regional gaming market. “Number one, as they say in the real estate business: location, location, location. We are closest to the Greater Memphis metropolitan area. Number two is that we will have the largest and newest slot machines and table games in the market. And we will have the newest quality restaurants and a state-of-the-art hotel complete with suites. Plus to top it off, we have one of the strongest and most experienced marketing teams around to bring the entire Southland experience to our guests and future guests.”
Wolf added, “Arkansas and West Memphis are very business-friendly and understand the benefits of us growing and thereby increasing employment and taxes along with other enhancements.” He said Southland has had an economic impact of more than $148 million in Crittenden County, including payroll, taxes and charitable contributions. “I think the expansion is putting us on a more level playing field. I am fairly confident our annual growth will be in the double digits over the next couple of years,” Wolf stated.
He noted last year more than 3.3 million people visited Southland, mostly from the Memphis market. “We’ve developed a loyal customer base and can’t wait to see more people discover Southland in the coming years and make it an overnight and weekend tourism destination,” Wolf said.
West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon noted Southland’s expansion has spurred new local businesses and attracted national restaurant and hotel chains to the area, where Interstates 40 and 55 intersect. “Southland is like a seed that was planted in West Memphis and is coming up. Now everybody is ready to come to the table because they’re finally seeing something growing in West Memphis,” he said.
Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Mike Preston observed, “Southland’s spending to expand their facility will have an immediate economic impact on the area, and the long-term financial impact of the expansion is going to be big, as well,” Preston said. He noted the city is working with national consultants on a feasibility study regarding developing a water park, movie theater and shopping and entertainment district.
Wolf said the Southland expansion also led to the Jordan Restaurant Group investing $3.5 million in two new restaurants, thanks to a West Memphis Economic Development incentive. The venues will create 60 new jobs, he said.
“The City of West Memphis will get a lot more taxes that they can utilize to grow West Memphis. We feel that our partnership with the city and its leadership will bring a bright future to Crittenden County. The mayor is out there aggressively recruiting new businesses and opportunities and can look at Southland’s growth to entice these businesses to come to West Memphis. As Southland thrives, so will the City of West Memphis and Crittenden County and also the greater Memphis area, for that matter. When Southland becomes a tourist destination, the overflow will benefit Memphis,” Wolf said.
