Around the world as US military bases are decommissioned, large tracts of land are left empty and local economies based on servicing military operations and personnel suffer a downturn. In some places the availability of new land is quickly seized upon by property developers, where housing is at a premium, but other regions may find prolonged negotiations necessary to fill defunct military space.

In Oakland, California local officials have suggested replacing an army re-supply base with a theme park or an Indian casino. A similar solution has been found in the Philippines where an ex military base will be home to the Fiesta Casino & Resort Poro Point. International Thunderbird Gaming Corporation, renamed Thunderbird Resorts Inc effective 30 September 2005, has been granted conditional approval of a casino licence in the northern port city of Poro Point. The government is anxious to promote development at the former military base to replace the regional economic benefits lost with the departing American forces.

The Thunderbird operation in Manila opened last April to a dismal start and it is expected to have a negative impact for several months on the company’s profits from other ventures in Latin America. However, the operation is seen by Thunderbird as an entry point into Asia and, as the first casino in the Philippines to be part of a hotel and golf resort project, expects to attract local and Asian tourists. The construction and renovation of the 1,000 sq m casino resort facility at Poro Point is scheduled to open late next month. (E-11.11.05)

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