Argosy may buy fire-rescue boat for city - 2004-01-11
Argosy Gaming Co. may give the city up to $50,000 to purchase a fire suppression and rescue boat, city and corporate officials confirmed Friday.

Officials of the company, which owns the Alton Belle Casino, said they are considering providing the funds to the city this winter.

If the Alton Fire Department obtains its first watercraft, it likely would be a "first responder" to the waterfront.

The Alton Belle still would maintain its emergency vessels for incidents related to the gaming boat and its personnel and patrons, said Jim Wise, director of corporate communications for Argosy.
Read the full story at Alton Telegraph

Billions grab our attention - 2004-01-11
Multimillion-dollar investments are definitely always welcome in South Mississippi, although occasionally it seems we've become jaded to such declarations that once provoked an eye-popping, jaw-dropping reaction among the citizenry.

After all, more than a decade ago we watched Steve Wynn and Ralph Engelstad invest hundreds of millions in their towering casino resorts, as Beau Rivage and Imperial Palace rose from the ground.

We've got multimillion-dollar payrolls to match, thanks to said casinos and to that other big spender, Uncle Sam, who signs the checks at Keesler Air Force Base, Stennis Space Center, the Seabee Center and other government installations.
Read the full story at Biloxi Sun Herald