LEWISTON — A group of investors hoping to bring a casino to an abandoned downtown mill building has announced a former Lewiston school administrator and his wife are joining their cause.

James J. Tracey Sr. and Elizabeth Tracey are the latest investors to join the Great Falls Recreation and Redevelopment LLC team, the group said in a prepared statement.

James Tracey is a former assistant superintendent of the Lewiston School Department and a retired colonel with the Maine National Guard.

“Obviously, this is a tremendous opportunity for Lewiston that the voters have embraced by a 2-1 margin,” Tracey said.

According to the release, James Tracey cited his Lewiston roots and veterans as his reasons for joining the effort, which aims to put a casino in a refurbished Bates Mill No. 5 building. The proposal must be approved by voters in a statewide referendum this November.

“No other casino in Maine gives a penny to help veterans,” James Tracey said in a prepared statement.

The Maine Office of Fiscal and Program Review estimates that a Lewiston casino, based on the legislation being proposed to voters, would give close to $500,000 per year to veterans groups, including the American Legion, VFW and Franco-American War Veterans. According to the release, those funds would be used for veteran-related charity programs.

Elizabeth Tracey is a Bangor-area native, former principal of Memorial School in New Gloucester and an occupational therapist, according to the release.

She said she supported the effort because it aims to help senior citizens.

“For most seniors, staying independent, in their homes, is their highest priority,” she said. “Maine is the oldest state in the nation. The funding for home health care and Meals on Wheels will provide extra quality of life for our most vulnerable seniors.”

Former Lewiston City Councilor and state lawmaker Stavros Mendros, who is the manager of the Lewiston casino campaign, said he was pleased with the Traceys joining the effort.

“They are exactly the kind of hardworking, committed and honorable family we are proud to have support this effort,” Mendros said.

He said Tuesday the couple was not investing at the same level as the original investment group, but they would have a financial stake in the casino. He said additional community partners would be announced in the weeks to come.