Note to MGM: Ideal location in Richmond

Might this location be appropriate? The owner has indicated support for Slot Barns and seems not to mind the community destruction. gambling addiction, increased personal bankruptcies, social injustice, regressive taxation, low wage jobs, increased crime, increased drunk drivers....you know the list.

MGM Resorts drops Brimfield casino plan; launches effort to find new site in Western Massachusetts
By Lori Stabile, The Republican

BRIMFIELD - Las Vegas casino operator MGM Resorts International is bailing out of the Brimfield project, but is seeking an alternate Western Massachusetts location, a company spokesman said on Tuesday.

"The unique nature of MGM’s plans for an all-inclusive world-class resort on the Brimfield site, and our growing understanding of the needed scope for its infrastructure, simply do not allow us to pursue the comprehensive MGM resort originally envisioned here," said William Hornbuckle, MGM’s chief marketing officer. No kidding? Someone failed to conduct their due diligence and town leadership allowed themselves to be blinded by the Fools' Gold of Slot Barns to support this Folly. And where were those low wage workers to live?

“As a result, we have a mutual agreement with Rolling Hills Realty Trust to end MGM’s development efforts in Brimfield. MGM remains committed to developing an MGM-quality project in Western Massachusetts and we are actively pursuing other potential development sites,” Hornbuckle said in a statement.

"The response of the community in Brimfield has been nothing short of outstanding. We are very grateful for the reception we have received. The willingness of residents to listen to our thoughts and openly share their concerns has been of critical importance to MGM in reaching this decision," Hornbuckle continued.

“It has been our pleasure to get to know the people of Brimfield as we’ve worked to find our place in Western Massachusetts,” said Hornbuckle. “The elected officials, the town workers and our many new friends have been generous in their support and willingness to share their thoughts with us. We will always be grateful.”

The company will continue to work from its office on Warren Road as it considers alternative locations in Western Massachusetts.

David J. Callahan, of Rolling Hills Realty Trust, said he will continue to work to develop the property, which borders Palmer in Hampden County and Warren in Worcester County.

"We wish MGM the best of luck as they continue their pursuit of a Western Massachusetts casino license," Callahan said in a statement.

The "Rolling Hills Resort" project was announced with much fanfare in January, with top executives from MGM touting the 150-acre site in the northwest corner of town, and the estimated 3,000 jobs it would bring. They brought interested media to the remote site north of the Massachusetts Turnpike after a press conference, and later set up a website - www.mgmrollinghills.com - dedicated to the project.

The announcement pleased one backer of the proposed [insolvent] Mohegan Sun casino project next door in Palmer.

"I'm not surprised. I thought the site was not a good site to begin with based on the lack of infrastructure . . . (MGM's) whole plan was to drive traffic through Palmer and Sturbridge. It makes Palmer a more viable competitor," Palmer Town Council President Paul E. Burns said.

Burns said MGM is "welcome to compete in Palmer." [Mr. Burns ignores the Palmer Casino Study Report that projected the annual costs to the town of Palmer would be $18 MILLION to $39 MILLION, not including the costs to bring water from the Quabbin. But, never let the facts get in the way, Mr. Burns! You're drinking too much KoolAid again.]

Brimfield Selectmen Chairwoman Diane M. Panaccione said she is disappointed with MGM's decision.

"It was a great revenue opportunity for our town for years to come. MGM has been gracious in dealing with our town officials and our residents. They were willing to work with the town. This is a huge loss for Brimfield," Panaccione said.

As talks progressed, Panaccione said she felt the project was looking more and more attractive for Brimfield. [This highlights poor local government when this level of support is provided without conducting due diligence.]

"They said the footprint just didn't fit the property," Panaccione said.

MGM representatives had said access would be through a Massachusetts Turnpike exit, onto Smith Road, a dirt road in Warren. They had repeatedly said there would no local access through the town of Brimfield.

The news cancels a special session of the annual Town Meeting that was set for June 18, according to Panaccione. There, residents would have been faced with two non-binding referendums regarding a casino project.