(Continued from page 21)

as its stores. Once the operation subtracted $4.2 million spent on promotions, its net revenue was $64.6 million. That's nearly twice the $36.5 million net revenue from 2011, when it started operations in June.
• Factoring in expenses for doing business and its interest and bank refinancing costs, Grand Falls' net loss was $4.8 million. That compares with $4.7 million in 2011 when the facility was open only part of the year.
• "We anticipated the first couple of years to have a loss. We just have a lot of expenses," Haselhoff said. "Our goal is to try and pay down our bank debt as quickly as we can."
• There's no question that Grand Falls is bringing in money. Under its operating agreement, it also is giving away millions. The Lyon County Riverboat Foundation, the nonprofit gaming license holder for the casino, received $2.18 million last year. One-fourth of that money goes to school districts in the county, while another one-quarter goes to municipalities in the county. The rest is distributed through grants to other projects in the county, including a multiyear grant for $750,000 to the Inwood Aquatic Center.
• Grand Falls also refinanced its bank loan this past year, saving it $3 million a year.
• An 18-hole golf course costing between $6 million and $8 million will open late next summer. The 155-acre course -- designed by Rees Jones -- adds to monthly concerts, a spa, indoor and outdoor pools at the hotel, dining, weekly free live music and the gaming available at Grand Falls. Management wants to build the casino into an entertainment package that will draw repeat customers.
• "It adds a whole new level to the resort," Haselhoff said of the course, which includes a waterfall reminiscent of the falls of the Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls.
• Golfers will end their play on the 18th hole above the drop-and-water feature.
• "It's just not the casino," Haselhoff said. "It's all these other things that create the environment that folks are looking for."
• Haselhoff said she sees the casino as a tourist destination for the area, including Sioux Falls.
• "We still have new people that come here every day," she said. "I think people are really blown away at all we have to offer here."
•

• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- Residents in the Black Hills were navigating through a sloppy mess Sunday after warmer temperatures began melting record-setting snow

(Continued on page 23)