BCW’s Ravitz Provides Testimony Supporting Full Gaming License for Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts
As Westchester County’s largest business membership organization that focuses on economic development and advocacy, the BCW has been a long-time advocate of obtaining a full gaming license for Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts.
BCW Executive Vice President and COO John Ravitz provided testimony supporting the full gaming license at a meeting held Monday in Yonkers by the Community Advisory Council. He began by stating that obtaining a full-gaming license for Empire City by MGM Resorts has been and will continue to be the top legislative priority for the BCW.
He noted that Empire City by MGM Resorts has already demonstrated to be a proven winner for the city of Yonkers, the County, and the state, by generating over $300 million dollars in tax revenue each year to fund state education, and millions more for state and local government coffers.
He also pointed out that the enhanced development of the property will make it one of the largest incubators for workforce development, creating 2,000 new jobs for the residents of Westchester and the Bronx, jobs that will change the lives of 2,000 individuals and their families.
Ravitz said Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts has already established solid working relationships with related businesses in the City of Yonkers. “I also hope this Committee will consider is the huge commitment that Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts has made to being a good neighbor to the surrounding community of their property.”
Ravitz pointed out the BCW with its Friends in Labor, Non-for-profits and other community based organizations created “A Sure Bet for New York’s Future Alliance” to demonstrate that allowing Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts a full gaming license will be a GAME CHANGER for the city, the county and the state.
He concluded, “As this process continues to move forward, we all must remember how transformative this project will be not just in the immediate future, but for generations to come. Simply put, this is a win-win opportunity for all of us.”.
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