**Please see the attached photos of New York Governor David A. Paterson, NYRA Chairman C. Steven Duncker, and today’s Resorts World New York groundbreaking at Aqueduct Race Track. Credit NYRA,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/28/10
Contacts: Morgan Hook, Governor’s Press Office, (518) 474-8418/(212) 681-4640, Morgan.Hook@chamber.state.ny.us
Stefan Friedman, Genting, friedman@skdknick.com
Dan Silver, NYRA, dsilver@nyrainc.com
GOVERNOR PATERSON AND GENTING BREAK GROUND ON RESORTS WORLD
Genting Chairman K.T. Lim, elected officials, union representatives and
(NEW YORK): Governor David A. Paterson and Genting Chairman K.T. Lim today were joined by elected officials as well as representatives of New York’s gaming and racing operations and South Queens residents at Aqueduct Race Track to officially break ground on the Resorts World New York casino -- a project that will put 2,100 New Yorkers to work, generate more than $300 million in annual revenue for the state and give New York City its first ever casino.
“With today’s groundbreaking,
“This is one of the proudest days in the history of the Genting organization,” said Genting Chairman K.T. Lim. “Working alongside our elected officials, union representatives and our neighbors in the South Queens community, we will deliver a world class tourism and entertainment facility that all New Yorkers can be proud of.”
Just months after being awarded the contract, Genting has already started ramping up its hiring for the project’s more than 1,300 construction jobs and will soon announce job fairs for the 800 permanent jobs that will be created at Resorts World New York. Genting won the rights to develop Resorts World New York with a bid that included a $380 million, one-time payment. The company predicts that the state will receive at least $300 million annually in revenue generated from the casino.
“After nearly a decade of delay, I am thrilled that this project has broken from the starting gate today,” said Congressman Gregory Meeks. “With the jobs it will create and the recurring revenue it will produce, I know that Resorts World New York will play an integral role in helping revitalize the economies of the borough, the city and the State.”
“This long-awaited project couldn’t come soon enough for the people of Queens, as it will create exactly the right kind of jobs – good-paying, stable and local -- that are in such high demand throughout this neighborhood,” said State Sen. Joseph Addabbo.
"The economic benefits of this project – from the more than $300 million a year in state revenue to the more than 2,100 jobs created -- are tremendous,” said Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer. "With so many new Yorkers needing work, Genting has answered our community’s need for jobs. I am confident that Resorts World New York at Aqueduct will be an overwhelming success.”
With destinations throughout Asia and the
“Genting has an international reputation for building first-class casinos,” said Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, Chair of the New York State Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee. “All of
Within six months, a significant portion of the 4,525 Video Lottery Terminals that will fill the casino will be operational. Six months from then all of the VLTs will be up and running and all interior work will be complete. In just 18 months, all interior and exterior renovations – including the building of an enclosed skybridge from the “A” train station to the Resorts World New York entrance – will also be finished.
“Genting’s Aqueduct restoration project will not only vastly improve one of
“The New York Lottery is very proud of the process we employed to recommend a developer for Aqueduct. Genting will bring a premiere gaming experience to
Empire State Development Chairman & CEO Dennis M. Mullen stated, “Today’s groundbreaking is the beginning of significant economic development activity for the borough of Queens and the entire State of
"This day has been in the making for nine years, and it is one that we are very excited about," said New York Racing Association Chairman C. Steven Duncker. "Genting has been a terrific partner and we are looking forward to working with them for many years to come. Their Resorts World New York Casino will help
Aside from the project’s more than 1,300 construction jobs, The Resort World New York casino will also require a diverse staff of hundreds of professionals in the entertainment, hospitality, security and foodservice industries.
“When so many jobs around our city are being cut, it is encouraging to see such a tremendous project as this one, which will offer so many New Yorkers reliable sources of income,” said Gary LaBarbera. President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater
“Resort World New York will certainly boost tourism in the region and thus, create new work opportunities for the hospitality workers in our union,” added Peter Ward. President of the New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council.
###
Founded in 1965, Genting is a global entertainment and tourism company operating in Asia, Europe,