WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The eyes of Western Massachusetts are on West Springfield. These are the last few days before voters decide whether to support or reject a casino for the town, and those campaigning for and against the project are rallying for support. 

22News spoke with residents hoping to influence the outcome on the street.

"I feel very strongly about it. So I chose to take some time from my Saturday to show my support for the partnership between the Big E and Hard Rock to benefit the residents of West Springfield," said Linda Williams of West Springfield.

"I don't want them taking over our community. I love our community and the problems we have in it can be fixed without Hard Rock," said Nancy Misialek of West Springfield.

West Springfield voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, September 10th to vote on the host agreement that their town signed with Hard Rock, which has partnered with the Big E fairgrounds in this project.

Those campaigning are hoping their voices make a difference.

"I don't understand why they would be against it. Bring the money here keep the money local everybody is traveling to West Springfield to gamble why not bring it here home. Help out the taxes here our schools. Our city needs the help," said Josue Carrero who is pro-casino.

"I think it's just going to create problems in the school system and I believe it's going to cause a lot of crime. I think gambling just doesn't bring anything good to this town of ours,” said Kate Sady
Who is anti-casino.

Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen says this is an $800 million project that will generate over 3,000 permanent jobs and over 2,000 construction jobs.

"I think there's a lot of people out there that are saying things that are" inaccurate. We've tried to deal with the facts. We've tried to deal with the real statistics," said Jim Allen the chairman of Hard Rock International

Those against the casino say the large dollar figures, don't mean much because they will be paying less than the corporate tax rate in town and bring more burdens.

"The drugs, the guns, the prostitutes, they'll follow the money and they're going to follow.  Those criminal elements will go wherever the casino is so we want to keep the casino away from West Springfield,” said Nathan Bech the president of No Casino Incorp.

"I don't believe what they're telling us, I think it's a bad thing. We don't have millions of dollars to spend but we're out here putting our heart and soul into this and I hope the people of West Springfield follow their heart and soul,” said Anne Millett who is anti-casino.

"I hope we get a yes vote. I hope everyone goes out to vote. Not just think about it. Do it,"  said Kay Buoniconti who is pro-casino.