Now that MGM has won Massachusetts regulatory and voter approval to build a resort casino in downtown Springfield the Las Vegas-based entertainment giant has employment and local purchasing commitments to keep.
The $800 million MGM project entails the building of a casino, hotel, parking garage, retail stores, restaurants, and amenities such as a bowling alley. First, some buildings now on the site of the future casino will be demolished and others deemed historic in nature must be rehabbed. All the work takes place on just 14 acres adjacent to the city’s central business district.
Hunter Clayton, who calls himself “MGM’s construction guy” (actual title: Executive Vice President of Development MGM Resorts International) said it is a “unique and special project.”
It is a project that will take a lot of manpower to pull off. Clayton said anyone who has a trade or some type of experience in construction likely has an opportunity to find work on it.
"Steelworkers, concrete placement and finishers, drywall, painters, roofers, mechanical, electrical technicians, plumbers."
Earlier this month MGM hosted a construction and vendor fair in Springfield to publicly detail hiring plans and diversity goals and the state regulatory requirements to get a job building or supplying the project. An estimated 400 business owners, contractors and tradesmen attended the meeting.
MGM has said the project will result in 2,000 construction jobs.
Dan D’Alma, President of the Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council, said it is a great opportunity.
" Throughout the building trades we've got about 35 percent unemployment, so this is the lift we need," said D'Alma. " Some of my members have been foreclosed on, so now there is an opportunity here."
MGM has agreed to diversity goals for the construction workforce of 15 percent minorities, 6.9 percent women, and 8 percent veterans.
A provision in the host community agreement with the city of Springfield requires MGM to purchase $50 million in goods and services annually from local suppliers. Some of the business is set aside for minority, women, or veteran-owned businesses.
Before any business can become an MGM vendor, it must registered with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, and in some cases receive a license. Laurie Shaw-Lee, of Sante Builders, said she was unaware of the regulatory requirements until she attended the MGM outreach meeting.
"We going to make a plan to register with them ( the gaming commission) and become a vendor to get on that list and go through the process."
The gaming commission next month is expected to vote on MGM’s design and construction plans and its affirmative action hiring program.
Commissioner Bruce Stebbins said a consultant has been hired to monitor the day-to-day construction of the casino and report back to the commission. Also, there will be a periodic audit to assure MGM meets the hiring goals.
" It's ongoing monitoring. Making sure they ( MGM) meet their goals and if not telling us why."
MGM expects to begin soliciting bids early next year for contractors. The construction will take 30-34 months to complete, with the peak construction employment occurring in 2016, according to MGM officials.
Copyright 2014 WAMC Northeast Public Radio
