MUNICIPAL LEADERS SUPPORT WORLD-CLASS MOHEGAN SUN RESORT CASINO AT SUFFOLK DOWNS
December 9, 2013
LYNN -- Monday, December 9, 2013 -- City leaders from communities up and down the North Shore, including Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy of Lynn, Mayor Daniel Rizzo of Revere, Mayor Kimberley Driscoll of Salem, and City Manager Jay Ash of Chelsea united to show their support for a world-class Mohegan Sun at Suffolk Downs. The leaders expressed their support based on the 2,500 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent jobs that will be created, the millions of dollars that will be spent on goods and services at local area businesses, and the tens of millions of dollars more that will be dedicated to road and infrastructure improvements, all of which would benefit not just residents of Revere, but residents of communities throughout the region.
“We are excited that Mohegan Sun has joined in partnership with this project. The construction jobs as well as the permanent jobs being created are absolutely needed for this region and I am looking forward to many Lynn residents benefiting from these job opportunities,” said Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy.
Members from Chambers of Commerce in Revere, Lynn, Chelsea, and Salem, as well as representatives of the North Shore Chamber, the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development and the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau also attended the event to show regional business support for the project.
“As both a local businesswoman and mother raising her child in the city of Revere, I see the many positive impacts of a Resort Casino at Suffolk Downs. Each year, our region will greatly benefit from the millions of dollars spent locally by Suffolk Downs on goods and services,” explained Kerri Abrams, owner of Kinship Floral in Revere and Vice President of the Revere Chamber of Commerce.
Earlier this year, the North Shore area Chambers and business organizations joined Suffolk Downs in hosting vendor forums for local business owners interested in learning more about the opportunities a resort casino at Suffolk Downs will provide. Mohegan Sun has a strong track record of buying locally and working closely with local vendors and other businesses. Mohegan Sun currently spends more than $500 million annually with vendors near its Connecticut and Pennsylvania properties.
“The level of support we’ve received from communities on the North Shore is extremely gratifying and encouraging,” said Mitchell Etess, CEO of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority. “Mohegan Sun’s resort casino in Revere will be an amazing destination that the entire North Shore can be proud of, and a source of economic development and opportunity that will further enhance this wonderful region of Massachusetts.”
Chip Tuttle, Chief Operating Officer of Suffolk Downs, discussed its recently announced partnership with Mohegan Sun and details of their proposal to build a world-class resort on 42 acres in Revere.
“We greatly appreciate the support shown by our locally elected and appointed municipal leaders along with business leaders from Lynn, Chelsea, Salem and other North Shore communities who have joined Mayor Rizzo and the city of Revere in recognizing the many benefits that will be brought to this region if gaming development occurs on our property,” stated Chip Tuttle, COO of Suffolk Downs.
“I am so grateful to Mayor Kennedy for hosting this event and to Mayor Driscoll and Jay Ash for attending. We all believe that the positive economic impacts from a casino at Suffolk Downs will reach far beyond the borders of Revere,” stated Mayor Daniel Rizzo. “The 4,000 jobs, local investment, and additional revenue will help to transform not just Revere, but the entire region.”
“Development of a casino-style resort at Suffolk Downs would bring jobs and visitors to the North Shore,” said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. “I am supportive of the project and know that it can be designed in a way that will respect the unique characteristics of our region, while also contributing to our regional economy and tax base.”
“Suffolk Downs has had a strong partnership over 75 years with its neighbors, including Chelsea,” stated City Manager of Chelsea Jay Ash, “I continue to be excited about that partnership expanding as a result of the Suffolk Downs/Mohegan Sun project in Revere. I believe that project to be very viable, and continue to believe the Suffolk Downs location to be the best in Eastern Massachusetts to host a resort casino. The thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity that can be generated in Revere will be a great benefit to our entire region. I’m in full support of the project.”
North Shore municipal leaders are committed to moving forward with the proposed Mohegan Sun resort casino at Suffolk Downs. If you would like to learn more about the steps the City of Revere and its local partners are taking to move the process forward, please visit www.revere.org.