Detail of this week's "Potshots" cartoon, by Gary Mayer.
As anticipated last week, Governor David Paterson announced today that he has struck a deal with the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans to build a gaming resort in the hamlet of Bridgeville in Sullivan County. The announcement was attended by Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey, as well as the supervisor of the town of Thompson, Tony Cellini, who let the cat out of the bag about the casino deal a week ago.
But the governor's announcement contained a piece of news: another casino deal, this one a $100 million expansion of gambling facilities at the Monticello Raceway.
Looks like gambling is going to be the Catskill region's next big industry, whether we like it or not.
The Daily Freeman and the Times Herald-Record have stories. Here's the press release issued by the governor's office:
Governor Paterson Signs Economic Development Compact to Revitalize Catskill Region
Governor David A. Paterson today was joined by Stockbridge-Munsee President Kim Vele, Senator Charles E. Schumer, Congressman Maurice Hinchey, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, Town of Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini and other stakeholders as he signed a compact that, pending acceptance from the U.S. Department of the Interior, clears a longstanding hurdle that will allow the Tribe to proceed with development of a gaming and resort complex in the Town of Thompson, Sullivan County.
"This compact is a significant step toward revitalizing the economy of Sullivan County by building on its legacy as a tourist destination," Governor Paterson said. "This agreement, which has the support of the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe as well as local, regional and statewide officials, will bring thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in investment to New York State. I urge the United States Department of the Interior to provide final acceptance and authorization to this agreement as soon as possible so that Sullivan County and the State can finally benefit from this much-needed economic development."
The proposed Class III gaming complex, which would include a hotel, restaurants and retail outlets, has been in the planning stages for more than a decade. The project will generate more than $1.3 billion in economic activity during the construction phase. Once operational, it is expected to generate approximately $900 million annually for the State economy and create over 6,700 direct and indirect jobs for the region. Additionally, all conditions imposed by the State Legislature under the authorizing legislation for up to three Indian casinos in the Catskills (Chapter 383 of the Laws of 2001), including the payment of 25 percent of slot revenue to the State, have already been agreed to by the Tribe.
The Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe has also entered into a Local Services Agreement with local governments that will provide $15 million per year to mitigate any potentially adverse impacts from the project.
Additionally, the Governor today announced that the State will be working with Empire Resorts, Inc. to develop a plan for an approximately $100 million dollar expansion of its video lottery facility at Monticello Raceway. Empire Resorts, Inc. opened Monticello Casino and Raceway in 2004, and has contributed over $190 million for education and $7.4 million to local governments in Sullivan County over the last six years.
"Since its opening in 2004, Empire Resorts' Monticello Casino and Raceway has provided millions of dollars in much-needed funding for education, as well as reliable revenue for local governments in Sullivan County. I look forward to working with Empire Resorts to assist them with any future plans to expand their existing facility, which would mean more jobs and more economic activity in the lower Hudson Valley," Governor Paterson said.
Earlier today, Governor Paterson was joined by Stockbridge-Munsee President Kim Vele and other stakeholders in Madison County to sign the Stockbridge-Munsee Land Claim Settlement Agreement, which cleared the way for this compact and settled a longstanding land claim impacting thousands of acres in Central New York. The land claim settlement agreement transferred to the Stockbridge-Munsee the rights to 1.84 acres of land in Madison County. Lands secured in Sullivan County can be used as "replacement lands" for lands claimed in Madison County as long as those lands are obtained as consideration for final settlement. The Tribe is willing to replace the 23,000 acres it claims in Madison County with the 1.84 acre in Madison County and 330 acres in Sullivan County.
