Displaced
Casino Workers Taking Jobs in Midwest
Casino workers whose
jobs were lost when Hurricane Katrina slammed
into the Gulf Coast are finding jobs on floating
casinos in Iowa.
The Isle of Capri casino in Bettendorf
and the Rhythm City Casino in Davenport have
taken in a total of 10 workers from their flagship
casino in Biloxi, Miss.
"We're moving through that process of
trying to find places for them to stay and jobs
for them," said Isle of Capri Vice President
Nancy Donovan.
The employees are staying at a Davenport hotel
until permanent housing is found.
Donovan said the company's Biloxi headquarters,
about five miles off the coast, was spared by
the storm. The Biloxi casino employed 1,150
people. Another 175 work at the corporate office.
The company has established a $500,000 fund
to help employees with expenses not covered
by government aid or who didn't have insurance.
The company's Iowa employees packed a caravan
with supplies, which was to leave Friday for
the Gulf Coast.
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