Penn National confirms plan to bring racetrack to Mahoning Valley

COLUMBUS — Penn National Gaming Inc. officially announced today that it plans to relocate its two horse racetracks — including moving one in Toledo to Austintown — if the state legalizes slot machines at Ohio’s racetracks.

In a news announcement today, Penn National said it would invest about $400 million combined in the two tracks. The other track would move from a Columbus suburb to North Dayton.

The projects would create 1,500 jobs in both areas as well as 1,000 construction jobs each, the Penn National statement read.

The moves would occur only if the state legalizes slot machines — also known as video lottery terminals or VLTs — at Ohio’s seven racetracks, according to Penn National.

Penn National officials as well as local elected officials and others will discuss the proposed move of Raceway Park in Toledo to the vacant 186-acre Centerpointe business park in Austintown, off state Route 46, at a 3 p.m. press conference today at the downtown Youngstown office of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.

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