"Funny how a little competition can make an issue look different. July 28, the people of Middleboro, Mass., approved an agreement with the Mashpee Wampanoags to build a $1 billion casino in their town. In return, Middleboro gets about $250 million for infrastructure improvements and $11 million a year from the tribe.

Now, the whole issue of casinos in Connecticut looks slightly different. Eastern Connecticut is home to two of the largest casinos in the world. As we all know they are expanding and will only get bigger. But none of the host towns have such a lucrative deal, although the state gets quite a bit of cash from the casinos.

Now is the time for Eastern Connecticut to take action -- from the local General Assembly delegation fixing the unfair distribution of the slot fund to the region, to local entrepreneurs and leaders wooing businesses needed by the casinos.

In short, the region needs to strengthen itself for the coming competition from the north.

It is time to build stronger relationships with the casinos and tribes through the General Assembly, the local chambers of commerce and municipal leaders. The tribes must also be willing to look closely at these relationships and opportunities. If not, 10 years from now we may be talking about the decline of our two largest employers much like we talk about the end of greyhound racing and the massive reduction in the Electric Boat work force."

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Our view: Strengthen town-tribe ties (The Norwich Bulletin 8/5)