(Danville, Va.) — Danville City Council voted unanimously Thursday night in favor of a resolution in support of  legislation in the upcoming General Assembly session that would pave the way for a local referendum on construction of a casino resort in Danville.

Councilman James Buckner said it would be the most significant economic development for Danville in his lifetime, with “7,000 potential new jobs (and) over a billion dollars of new spending in our city over the next ten years.” He called the resolution “a no-brainer.”

Councilman Adam Tomer said “you’re looking at the potential for $20,000,000 in additional revenue yearly,” adding that the money is badly needed for a new police station and for improvements to the city’s aging schools.

Councilman Sherman Saunders called this “an emotional issue on both sides,” adding that “we can only tax our residents but so much.”

United Company of Bristol first approached city council about a casino resort in October. The United Company is also proposing casinos in Bristol and Portsmouth.