Situation: Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino (PM) in Altoona, Iowa, is a not-for-profit facility offering horse racing, casino games and events. As a Polk County-owned facility, PM has been a vital part of the central Iowa community since 1989, and its mission has remained to promote economic development, agriculture, jobs, tourism and entertainment, and provide financial contributions to improve the quality of life for Iowans. In 2004 — as PM sought approval by Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission and Iowa Legislature to add table games — it was confronted with a series of critical community relations issues, including threats of additional gaming in Central Iowa, threats to a planned expansion of the facility, and concerns that the organization was not contributing enough to local charities.

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Posted: January 20, 2009 at 3:02 pm by Ryan Hanser