Governor Kasich is considering a deal with Rock Ohio to relocate its Thistledown operation from North Randall to the Akron area, perhaps to property owned by the Akron-Canton airport, in the city of Green. The deal would be similar to the one struck last month between Kasich and Penn National to move horse racing tracks from Grove City to Austintown and Toledo to Dayton.

The Akron Beacon Journal, through a public records request, discovered a confidentiality agreement signed last August by Akron-Canton airport officials and a real estate company. According to the Beacon Journal, the agreement contains no deals or negotiations. The real estate company had approached airport officials looking for a large tract of land. Airport officials later discovered it was for Rock Ohio Caesars and they were seeking a potential site for a racino.

The airport owns about 400 acres that do not figure into their future plans. An 80-acre, and potentially 160-acre, tract along Greensburg Road in the city of Green is the possible site. All parties involved have been somewhat mum on the topic so no one is certain whether this site is still even under consideration. Airport officials have stated they would approve a racino at this location only if the city of Green okayed it. The FAA would also have to sign off on any deal to make sure airport operations aren’t hindered.

If Thistledown were to relocate here, Summit County could potentially house two racinos. Northfield Park, a harness racing track, is also contemplating adding VLTs.