A major economic driver for Deadwood, the casino industry, has a new advocate hedging the bets.
The city's gaming association named George Milos its new executive director after the departure of longtime director Mike Rodman.
Behind heavy hitters like Las Vegas and Atlantic City, Deadwood has become a tourist destination with its own distinct flavor of casino and historic attractions.
“You can go all the way back to 1989 and Deadwood was really falling into disrepair," Milos said. "Some forward-thinking citizens got together, got it to a vote, and brought limited gaming to the town of Deadwood with the purpose of saving the town with most of the funding going to historic preservation and fixing the infrastructure. It’s been 30 years, and we’ve seen enormous improvements to the city.”
With three decades of tourism propping up the community, Milos said they’re preparing for another strong showing this summer.
“We always go into tourism season with our heads held high and excited," Milos said. "So far, the online bookings have been steady, and inquiries are up. We’re cautiously optimistic this is going to be a good year.”
Milos said his top priority is supporting the people who keep the business moving day-to-day.
“This industry has created thousands of really good paying jobs with good benefits, and it supports so many families not only in Deadwood, but the entire Black Hills," Milos said. "So, my first priority is to represent the industry and to help tell that story.”
Milos is originally from the Lead-Deadwood community, is a Marine Corps veteran, and previously worked with the local chamber of commerce and as a director for the Deadwood Mountain Grand.