LAKE HARMONY – A day after most of the witnesses at a hearing on Fernwood Resort’s casino application voiced enthusiastic support, Split Rock Resort received a unanimous endorsement, from a small number of witnesses testifying.

Split Rock, in Carbon County, just south of the Monroe County line and not far from the Mount Airy Casino Resort, is seeking one of two Category 3 licenses that will be awarded later this year.  The third application is the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, a Philadelphia suburb.

Split Rock Director of Special Projects says their 500-slot casino, for resort guests only, would create more than 80 new jobs, and would be part of an overall destination concept that includes a water park that will open late this summer.

Among those speaking in favor of the Split Rock application was Pocono Mountain FVisitors Bureau Executive Director Carl Wilgus, who had also supported the Fernwood application the previous day.

The hearing was conducted by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which will hold the third session, for Valley Forge, May 20.  A decision on which two resorts will get the licenses is expected by year’s end.