The state of Maryland is going to have a luxurious casino resort established within a year. The building procedures are already underway and yesterday, the top executive of MGM Resorts determined the progress of the mega project as “remarkable”.
Currently, as many as 1,000 workers are involved in the construction of the property that was estimated to cost MGM the sum of $1.2 billion.
However, local activists accused MGM officials of having deceived the residents. Before the start of the project, they promised to hire citizens of Prince George’s County but according to civic leaders, MGM failed in living up to their expectations.
Jim Murren, the Chairman and CEO of MGM, was supported by the Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan as well as the executive of Prince George’s County, Rushern L. Baker III. They visited the site of MGM National Harbor and Mr. Murren announced that the resort establishment will diversify the local economy and provide residents with the opportunity for career growth and stable income.
Mr. Murren went on to say that back in 2012, he promised the residents that as soon as the project is started, they will be arranged for its construction. Bearing that promise in mind, the chairman of MGM said that he would not disappoint them.
However, community members said that regardless of the promise, MGM executives did not allow qualified businesses to take part in the project.
The director of the Maryland Business Clergy Partnership, Bruce Branch, commented on the matter and said what all local businesses wanted was to be provided with the opportunity to take part in a fair competition. Yet, he reluctantly admitted that smaller businesses are usually not wanted for big projects and gave the National Harbor and Woodrow Wilson Bridge construction as an example.
What is more, during a meeting, held on Tuesday, it was said that the residents of the county have been totally excluded from the project and in order to change that, they rely on the city council to solve the issue.
During the special event, which took place on Wednesday, all affected parties expressed their hopes that MGM officials will “do the right thing”.
Speaking of yesterday’s event, it was held because the 1000th worker was hired and officials said that once the casino resort opens doors, it will have a great positive impact on the local economy and many more than 1000 job positions will be opened.
