A sleepy Nevada town is about to wake up in a big way. A smart business move by a Florida developer shows how free markets and American energy are working together. With Governor Joe Lombardo’s strong support for lithium mining and his recent appeal to President Trump on tariffs, Nevada is leading the charge for American energy independence.
Local Casino Gets New Life as Energy Boom Approaches
The Say When Casino in tiny McDermitt, Nevada is getting a second chance at life. Florida-based Gary Green Gaming just bought this old gambling hall that’s been around since 1973. What makes this purchase special? It sits right next to the Thacker Pass lithium mine – the largest lithium deposit in America.
Green has big plans for the casino including “an expansion and redesign, a 24-hour restaurant, a boutique hotel, an entertainment complex and broadcast-recording center, and a shopping district.” All this will serve the thousands of workers expected to flood into the area.
“This isn’t just about gambling,” says local resident James Miller, who owns a gas station in McDermitt. “This is about American jobs and energy freedom. For too long, we’ve let other countries control our future.”
Why This Matters to Conservatives
This story shows what happens when government gets out of the way and lets businesses take risks. No taxpayer bailouts. No massive government programs. Just a businessman seeing an opportunity and taking it.
Lithium is key to our energy future. It powers everything from cell phones to electric cars. Right now, China controls most of the world’s lithium supply. That’s dangerous for our national security.
Thacker Pass is now “the largest measured and indicated lithium resource in the world,” according to Tim Crowley of Lithium Americas. Having this resource on American soil means more jobs and less dependence on foreign countries.
Governor Joe Lombardo recognizes this potential. Just last week, he wrote a letter to President Trump urging him to reconsider tariffs on lithium. “Removing the tariffs on lithium will help secure American jobs, strengthen our economy, and support our path toward energy independence,” Lombardo wrote.
“We need to use all the resources God blessed America with,” says county commissioner Sarah Johnson. “Our country has always thrived when we develop what’s in our own backyard.”
What Critics Say
Not everyone is happy about the mine and casino expansion. Some environmental groups worry about the impact on local water and wildlife. They say lithium mining uses too much water in an already dry region.
Native American tribes have also fought against the mine, claiming it’s near a sacred site where a massacre took place in 1865. Though courts have largely ruled against these claims, the controversy continues.
Progressive politicians argue that the government should have more control over lithium production. They want strict rules about who can mine it and how the profits get shared.
Looking to the Future
Gary Green, the businessman behind the casino purchase, sees this as just the beginning. “Lithium is the new oil,” says Green, “and we’re building the infrastructure for its human side.”
The tiny town of McDermitt, with fewer than 100 residents, could soon see thousands of new workers and their families. This growth will bring challenges, but also opportunities for small businesses and local tax revenue.
Governor Lombardo is playing a key role in this development. He recently toured the Thacker Pass site and is promoting a “lithium loop” vision – having all stages of lithium production from mining to manufacturing happen right here in Nevada. This approach has gained bipartisan support, showing that energy independence can unite Americans.
However, Lombardo warns that currently “there is no domestic technology capable of refining lithium to the standards required for manufacturing while also meeting our country’s environmental regulations.” This technical challenge highlights why government needs to get out of the way and let American innovation solve the problem.
The story of this small casino in remote Nevada shows how American ingenuity and the free market can work together to strengthen our country. No government handouts needed – just freedom to build and grow.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
