Town seeks casino, prison for jobs

BERLIN, N.H. -- With their largest employer shut down for at least two weeks, city officials are working to bring in other jobs and tax revenue -- including a casino and a federal prison.

Many residents fear the Pulp and Paper of America mill will not re-open by the end of the month. It owes the city nearly $3 million in taxes.

This week, the City Council authorized Mayor Robert Danderson to look into attracting a federal prison to the city.

He's also asked Republican state Rep. John Gallus to draft legislation that would legalize gambling in the city as the first step toward building a casino.

Danderson wants to put a casino on city-owned property on Jericho Lake, but the Legislature has repeatedly rejected plans to expand gambling.

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