Queens leaders and community groups back
Resorts World’s quest for full casino status
BY BILL PARRY
Nearly three dozen community
leaders and organizations,
including clergy, civil rights
groups, and economic inclusion
advocates, in and around
the Queens community, are
joining together in support of
Resorts World New York City
as the New York state Legislature
considers a proposal to
allow three full-fledged downstate
casinos to come online as
soon as the end of the year.
The groups behind the
letter that’s been sent to Assembly
Speaker Carl Heastie
and Leader Andrea Stewart-
Cousins, in addition to Gov.
Andrew Cuomo, advocate for
Resorts World to receive one
of these licenses because of
the immediate benefit it would
bring to the Queens community,
which has been hit hard
by the pandemic.
“COVID-19 has absolutely
ravaged our city and state, but
the virus has been particularly
damaging to those who
faced significant challenges
and struggles before the pandemic
ever started,” the coalition
wrote. “Hundreds of thousands
of New Yorkers have
lost their jobs; tax revenues
that support vital services are
drying up; nonprofits are facing
existential threats to their
survival.”
The letter notes the disproportionate
impact COVID-19
has had on the community
and the urgent need for jobs
and tax revenue to support
vital services. Resorts World,
which has delivered on its
promises to the community
since opening nearly 10 years
ago by creating and protecting
good-paying jobs, generating
more than $3 billion for New
York’s public schools and supporting
local organizations,
would be well-positioned to
continue to fulfill its commitment
with near immediacy if
awarded the license.
“Our government leaders,
beginning with the three
of you, have done incredible
work not only in mobilizing an
all-out effort to curb the virus
and save lives, but in taking
significant steps to bolster our
local and state economy even
as we face an extended recession
Dozens of Queens leaders and community organizations call for state approval of Resorts World as a full casino.
while being shortchanged
by Washington.” they wrote.
A full-fledged license would
allow Resorts World to create
thousands of new union jobs
for New Yorkers in a matter of
months, adding to its more than
1,000 unionized workforce.
“Our borough and our
local business community
have benefited greatly from
Resorts World’s commitment
to Queens. RWNY attracts
tourists, catalyzes economic
activity that supports small
businesses, creates jobs for
local residents and generates
billions in tax revenue,”
Queens Chamber of Commerce
President and CEO Tom
Grech said. “Allowing RWNY
to become a full-scale gaming
destination will only increase
the positive impact they have
on our borough, and help the
entire region recover from the
devastation brought on by the
pandemic.”
Hope Knight, the president
and CEO of the Greater Jamaica
Development Corporation,
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also signed on to the letter.
“The ability to provide
good-paying jobs with relatively
low barriers to access
to southeast Queens residents
is crucial to COVID recovery,
particularly for families of color
with quality healthcare and
benefits to sustain a life-cycle
for family,” Knight said.
Since opening in 2011, the
facility has delivered thousands
of good-paying union
jobs and more than $3 billion
in tax revenue for New York
State school children. As the
state faces massive unemployment
numbers and revenue
shortfalls that will severely
handcuff its ability to provide
residents with critical services,
allowing Resorts World to
become a full-fledged casino
will help fill these needs without
expanding gaming in an
irresponsible way.
“Beyond the jobs and revenue,
during its decade of operations,
Resorts World has
proven to be a solid partner
for the Queens community
we all represent,” the coalition
wrote. “Through Resorts
World Gives, its charitable
entity, the company has given
out millions of dollars to local
nonprofits. The organization
has also lent its facility out for
a number of critical programs,
including COVID-19 testing,
relief from Hurricane Sandy,
and staging for the Red Cross
as it operates blood drives and
other community functions.”
The signees include the
Queens Economic Development
Corporation, Queens
Centers for Progress, Rockaway
Development & Revitalization
Corporation and Jamaica
Center for the Arts.
“Resorts World embodies
everything we look for in our
partners- generous, engaging,
hands-on, and committed to
the community,” Boys & Girls
of Metro Queens Executive
Director David Kupecky said.
“It is a testament to the culture
Resorts World has built
that even during the toughest
times, they remain a committed
Courtesy of Resorts World
community partner, and
we are rooting for them to be
able to make an even greater
impact in years to come. We
know they can, and we know
they will.”
Jamaica YMCA Executive
Director Cedric Dew also
signed on to the letter.
“We rely on our community
partners to invest, inspire,
empower, and advocate for
social and economic good in
Queens and throughout New
York,” Dew said. “Resorts
World has led by an example
in this area by supporting our
community, whether it be coat
drives, food drives, donations,
or investments. We are grateful
for their commitment to
their neighbors and know that
if given the opportunity, they
can elevate this support in a
meaningful way that will help
all New Yorkers.”
Reach reporter Bill
Parry by e-mail at bparry@
schnepsmedia.com or by phone
at (718) 260–4538.
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