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October 26, 2012

Track/casino project to get new name

Nancy Lowry New Castle News

NEW CASTLE — The new owners of Lawrence County’s racetrack/casino are not the only change for the project.

It will no longer be known as Valley View Downs.

That name was selected by Indiana-based Centaur Gaming and carried over to American Harness Tracks for the project.

Plans for a name change were confirmed Thursday by Lawrence County resident Chuck Long, who will remain as one of the partners.

“The harness commission approved the deal and we are excited,” Long said of the OK to transfer stock from American Harness Tracks to Endeka Entertainment.

He confirmed he will remain involved with the project.

“I started with this some months ago and I will continue to see it through.”

Long said the new name “is still under discussion. It will no longer be Valley View. That name apparently is trademarked. We haven’t yet selected a name.”

The new name will be announced when the casino license application is submitted to the gaming board. This must occur in 30 days.

Another person with county ties who has been associated with the project — New Castle native Joseph Canfora — may remain or may be replaced.

Canfora’s company, Merit Management Group of Chicago, had been named to manage the project.

“I hope to remain a part of the management group and to oversee the day-to-day operation,” Canfora said Thursday. “We’ve worked with Chuck Long and American Harness and have been in contact with Endeka.”

Regardless of his fate, he said, “Today brought good news for Lawrence County. Very soon we’re going to see a lot of activity as this moves ahead.”

(Email: nlowry@ncnewsonline.com)

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