BIDDEFORD — On Monday, at the Al Dube Quarter Horses farm, blacksmith Ernest Lowell banged hammer to anvil to demonstrate how he formed horseshoes, mostly for horses racing at Maine’s harness racetracks.

“I’ve been behind that anvil making horseshoes for 43 years,” he said, adding he’s not ready to retire.

In addition to holding onto his own job, Lowell said he hopes there will be career opportunities for his grandson here in Maine, once he completes his veterinary studies in London.

But Lowell’s current job, and a future position for his grandson, is dependent on the continuation of a vibrant harness racing industry in Maine, he said.

For that industry to continue to be profitable, the state must approve the combined racetrack and slot machine facilities, known as racinos, proposed for Biddeford and Washington County in the November election, said racino supporters.

On Monday, Lowell and other supporters of the two proposed racinos kicked off a statewide campaign to urge Mainers to vote yes on Question 2 on Nov. 8 to allow the two gaming facilities.

The creation and salvation of jobs was the rallying cry: “Biddeford Downs is about jobs, jobs, jobs,” said State Sen. Nancy Sullivan, D-Biddeford, who spoke at the rally.

Biddeford voters already signaled their support of a racino in their city, dependent on some conditions. In November 2010, nearly 60 percent of those voting approved the proposed $120 million project to include a racino, hotel and entertainment complex being developed by Scarborough Downs and Ocean Properties, LTD.

If Question 2 is approved statewide, 800 construction jobs and 500 full-time jobs will be created, according to Ocean Properties spokesman Tom Varney. An additional $5 million would go to Biddeford, said Varney, with $2 million expected to be directed to pay for the school renovation bond. Some of the rest could be invested in infrastructure in the downtown such as a proposed parking garage, according to Biddeford Mayor Joanne Twomey.

The jobs in particular are badly needed, she said. Biddeford lost 40 more jobs just last week, she said, and her own son is one of the newly unemployed.

“We cannot turn our back on this project,” she said. “These are real jobs for real people.”

Cynthia Hodak, owner of the Al Dube horse farm, said she grows and sells hay, and her job is dependent on harness racing. “More horses means more hay.” Others, like Lowell, said the jobs of farmers, horse breeders and scores of others are connected to the agriculture industry are dependent on the harness racing industry.

In addition to jobs, the proposed racino would add approximately $34 million in new tax revenue to state coffers, said Scarborough Downs owner Sharon Terry.

Despite the fervor of those taking part in the Question 2 campaign kickoff Monday, not all are in favor of the proposed racinos.

Biddeford mayoral candidate and state Rep. Alan Casavant, D-Biddeford, who is challenging Twomey in the November election, said during a telephone interview Monday, “I don’t think (the racino) is a savior for Biddeford.”

He’s not against jobs, he said, but he wants more of the details before championing the project.

No specific plans nor possible negative effects are being discussed, said Casavant.

“It’s like going to a used car man and asking to take it to a mechanic and being told, ”˜No, just trust us,’” he said.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.