West Des Moines Company Would Develop Casino in Nearby Norwalk if Voters Approve Gambling

West Des Moines businessman Gary Kirke’s Wild Rose Casino will operate a casino in Norwalk if Warren County voters approve a referendum on casino gambling perhaps as early as May 7.

The estimated economic impact of the proposed casino, which is expected to provide up to 600 jobs, is $100 million, KCCI reported.

The project would provide critical jobs at home, a spokesman for the Warren County Economic Development group said at a Wednesday news conference.

“Eighty percent of our workforce population leaves the county every day,” Jason White, the organization’s executive director, said. “So we lose a lot of dollars to other counties.”

Though Wild Rose has been selected as the developer if voters approve the referendum ballot, the project was initiated by Warren County Economic Development.

“Wild Rose is proud to be selected by Warren County Economic Development and the Warren County Leaders and Citizens for Good Jobs as the operator of this proposed casino and entertainment complex,” Wild Rose Vice President of Operations Tom Timmons said in a written statement provided to Patch.

“The group, composed of county leaders, citizens and grassroots interests, has done its homework and put together a plan and strategy for obtaining a license and building a first-class project," he said.

If voters approve gambling, the proposed casino would be built in the vicinity the Iowa Highway 5 interchange with Iowa Highway 28 in the northwest part of Norwalk.

Last year, Wild Rose approached city officials in Urbandale and Ankeny about a possible casino in those cities. Officials from both cities ultimately said they weren't interested.