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Displaced casino workers taking jobs in Midwest

Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 | 10:04 a.m.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Casino workers whose jobs were lost when Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast are finding jobs on floating casinos in Iowa.

The Isle of Capri casino in Bettendorf and the Rhythm City Casino in Davenport have taken in a total of 10 workers from their flagship casino in Biloxi, Miss.

"We're moving through that process of trying to find places for them to stay and jobs for them," said Isle of Capri Vice President Nancy Donovan.

The employees are staying at a Davenport hotel until permanent housing is found.

Donovan said the company's Biloxi headquarters, about five miles off the coast, was spared by the storm. The Biloxi casino employed 1,150 people. Another 175 work at the corporate office.

The company has established a $500,000 fund to help employees with expenses not covered by government aid or who didn't have insurance.

The company's Iowa employees packed a caravan with supplies, which was to leave Friday for the Gulf Coast.

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