The del Lago Resort & Casino in the town of Tyre, in the Finger Lakes region, opened last week. “Well, then at least you’re getting money for 10 years.”

“There’s a lot of people saying it may not last for more than 10 years,” Knapik said. Schenectady, like many upstate cities, has seen a lag in growth as large corporations like General Electric have scaled back operations. Joe Knapik, of Colonie, agreed, saying any economic development at all is a boon for the area. If they reinvest in the community, it will be a great thing.” “A lot of times the casinos move in, it doesn’t help the neighborhood,” she said. Tara Mitchell, of Albany, said she hopes the casino will spark development nearby. “This place was going to be developed anyway, whether the casino came or not, but the casino is kind of like the cherry on top,” Diamond said. “This will be an economic catalyst that will spur tourism and help fill up all the stores downtown,” said Bonacic, whose Senate district includes part of southern Ulster County. John Bonacic, the Orange County Republican who leads the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering. Fifty more jobs are expected when a connected luxury hotel and spa open later this year.Ĭuomo said the development represents bipartisan work to address economic growth upstate and thanked state Sen. The dream came true the vision turned to reality.”Ĭuomo told the crowd that “it’s been a long slog in upstate New York” but that casino has created more than 1,000 jobs. “We would be talking about this project sometimes, and I would say, ‘It’s just too great, just too unbelievable that something this grand and this powerful was going to happen,'” said Cuomo, a Democrat.

The $330 million Las Vegas-style casino is one of four, including one under construction in Sullivan County, that was authorized by regulators after voters approved an amendment to New York’s Constitution expanding gambling. Andrew Cuomo joined other state officials and local leaders Wednesday at the grand opening of the new Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady. Another casino has opened in upstate New York, and residents hope it jump-starts a long-awaited revitalization of a community where manufacturing once reigned.

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