August 18

Gerald Peters, a Santa Fe entrepreneur and art dealer is now stumping for construction of a new casino sponsored by the Indian Pueblo Tribe in the Mesilla Valley.

Peters is also known for trying to successfully bid for a casino and racetrack in southern New Mexico. His bid failed almost a year ago to make the project a success.

It is said that Jemez Pueblo will start the process for the application with the U.S. Interior Department and shortly there after begin negotiations on an Indian gaming compact with the Governor in New Mexico.

Even though Jemez is near Albuquerque, a site in southern New Mexico's Mesilla Valley will be chosen as the new casino site. The considerable metropolitan market brought on by neighboring Las Cruces (the state's second-largest city), El Paso, Texas, just 40 miles south, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, with an approximate population of near to 1.5 million, is also adjacent to the Mesilla Valley. It is said that this is definitely an area than can sustain a successful casino. Because of the major economic development of the purposed sites' surroundings there will be a great impact on employment there as well.

The would be site is located in Dona Ana county. It is also said that if the casino is built, up to 1,000 jobs will be created.