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May 4, 2011
Let me state from the outset, I have very strong feelings that any
gaming project has to have a compelling economic development
rationale. That is how I approached the development in Chester,
Pennsylvania -- against great odds, I might add -- and that is
how Paper City Development Company has and will continue to
approach Holyoke, Massachusetts. The stories of Chester and
Holyoke are truly a tale of two cities.
But let’s not shortchange the number of union trade jobs that
will be created through the 12-18 months of construction. We
project that a Holyoke casino will create up to 2,000 construction
jobs and 2,500 permanent jobs for persons employed at the
casino, 350-room hotel, spa, entertainment venue, restaurants
and retail shops. By the way, the centerpiece of our hotel
development will be a replica of the iconic Summit House that
once graced the top of Mt. Tom, invoking a nostalgic reminder of
Holyoke's glorious past.
Also, with the Pioneer Valley being a mecca for horse breeding,
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riding shows, stables and other equestrian activities, we are
evaluating the development of an equestrian venue at the site so
as to retain some of its sylvan setting. Not lost on us is what
this industry means relative to jobs and direct economic activity
in Western Massachusetts annually.