CHENANGO COUNTY – Much like two sides of the same coin, along with Wednesday's unveiling of the state-wide fracking ban in New York, neighboring Broome county is left reeling from another decision – a decision that could have an uplifting effect on both the employment and economic climate in the southern tier, including Chenango County.

In April of this year, a resolution brought forward by Assemblyman Clifford Crouch (R-122nd District) and adopted by council members in a 4-1 roll call vote on April 15 expressed support for the idea of a casino in neighboring Broome County.

With the adoption of the resolution, some Norwich city officials believed that benefits of a casino in neighboring district would trickle into Chenango County and provide a boost to the local economy. “A casino built any place in Upstate New York would definitely benefit the city more if it were in Broome County than any of the other proposed areas,” said Norwich Mayor Joesph Maiurano.

But despite a lengthy and drawn out bidding process, The New York Gaming Facility Location Board announced yesterday that it would grant a gaming permit to an out of the area development firm Lago Resort and Casino to he headquartered in Tyre, NY — which quickly announced that it would break ground within a week of officially receiving the permit.

Much to the gripe of the southern tier, the decision to shunt yet another money-maker out of the area by state leaders has left the proposition of an expanded Traditions Resort and Casino – located in Johnson City – by the wayside.

Much of the groundwork and investment in closing another turned down expansion at Tioga Downs was at the hands of real estate developer and owner of both Vernon Downs and Tioga Downs Jeff Gural, who took the news especially hard.

Gural's efforts for a full casino at Tioga Downs was not chosen by the board, despite a persistent rumor among casino industry insiders that it was the favored bid.