UMVA has learned that the family behind Primm Valley Resorts is racing against time to revive the fading Nevada gambling hub after a wave of mass closure announcements sparked fears that it's on the brink of becoming a ghost town.
For decades, Primm has been a haven for those seeking a more affordable alternative to Las Vegas, offering cheaper hotel rooms and lower-stakes gambling just across the Nevada border. But with the impending closure of its last casino hotel, Primm Valley Resort & Casino, on July 4, the town is staring into the abyss, with 344 people set to lose their jobs.
Cory Clemetson, president of Primm's landowner group and grandson of town founder Ernie Primm, has strongly criticized the decision, vowing that his family will leave no stone unturned in their quest to revive the Primm properties. "If the Primm properties go dark, so does the welcome they have provided over the decades," Clemetson said, his words dripping with emotion.
Determined to breathe new life into the town, Clemetson and his family are working "tirelessly" to explore ways to revive Primm, driven by a deep understanding of its iconic place in their geography and in their hearts. "Be assured that we’re working toward a revitalized Primm and a return to better days," Clemetson said, his voice filled with conviction.
The recent closures are the latest blow to a town already reeling from the devastating impact of the pandemic on gambling tourism. Industry experts warn that Primm's struggles are a canary in the coal mine, a harbinger of the fate that may await other small gaming towns. As one expert noted, "In Nevada, we have a lot of old mining towns where, when the boom ended, everybody cleared out. Primm could end up being the first gambling ghost town."
The collapse of Primm's gaming industry is attributed to the rise of new casinos in California and Las Vegas, drawing visitors away from this small Nevada town. As the town teeters on the brink of disaster, one thing is clear: its fate is a cautionary tale of the cutthroat gaming industry, where fortunes can be made and lost in the blink of an eye.
With the clock ticking, the family's efforts to revive Primm have become a beacon of hope for the town's residents, who are now faced with the prospect of losing their jobs and, in many cases, being displaced from their homes. The question on everyone's lips is: can they succeed in saving Primm from oblivion?
