AMHERST COUNTY, Virginia. – There is some controversy in Amherst County as a major game store is about to enter town.

In November, voters will decide whether a Richmond-based company can continue to build a Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Madison Heights.

“I think it’s phenomenal,” said Tricia Anderson, who has lived in Amherst County for more than two decades.

She said she went to Rosie’s in Vinton and was excited to hear that Madison Heights could get one too.

“Jobs coming to the area will fill some of the gaps in the training center’s closure. You’re going to get tax revenue and that’s going to put Amherst County on the map, ”Anderson continued.

If they play their cards right, the $ 40 million construction project would bring 100 jobs, 150 slots and a total new tax revenue stream of nearly $ 2 million for the county, according to Economic Development estimates. .

“So many people go two to three hundred miles to get to a Rosie’s,” said Steven Whaley, who lives in Lynchburg.

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If adopted, Rosie’s would set up shop along Hallway US 29 in the Seminole Plaza Mall.

However, some are betting against the idea.

“Having something that will increase crime is not good,” said Tobey Thurston, who lives in Amherst and has started a GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $ 4,000 to raise awareness of the opposition.

She is also part of a recently created Facebook group, Amherst Citizens Against Rosie’s.

“Do we need to revitalize Madison Heights a bit? Absoutely. I don’t think it’s with a big game store, ”Thurston said.

“We need a more family environment,” said Debbie Vest, who lives in Lynchburg.

Thurston and Vest both fear that a Rosie’s in Amherst County could lead to more crime and impaired driving problems.

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Even in the face of opposition, economic developers said they hoped enough people would support the project since they collected more than 2,000 signatures to get the referendum on the ballot.

If the referendum passes, Rosie’s could be operational within the next two years.

If it could open, it would run everyday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.