After please from MGM Resorts International to expedite the permit process and county-level approval of gambling, the MGM National Harbor project in Prince George’s County has begun site preparation, and groundbreaking and construction schedules appear to be on line for the 5 million casino resort’s planned July 2016 opening.
Prince George’s County officials had been taking a slow, careful approach to the project, particularly as it concerned an agreement ensuring that local employees would be hired for the project and that minority-owned contractors would get their fair share of the construction work. MGM officials had warned that delays in the approval and permit process could delay the entire project, and the millions in revenue and taxes it promises for the state.
Last week, the Prince George’s County Council adopted legislation allowing gambling in the county, a requirement for the project to move forward. Additionally, according to a report in the Washington Post, County Executive Rushern Baker and MGM officials are finalizing the development agreement securing local hiring and contracting for the project.
A public hearing on the casino proposal is set for May 8.
“We are moving forward on multiple fronts,” said MGM spokesman Gordon M. Absher in an interview with the Post. “Our goal is for there to be no loss of time at all, and as soon as we have all the paperwork from the county, we are ready to go. There will be no lag.
“We are very cognizant of the deadline, and we very much would like to be able to open as close as possible to that date so that Maryland and the county can begin reaping the benefits of the revenue that we will generate.”
MGM has already invested $50 million in the project, and officials of the operator say delays in the project would delay an 3stimated $700 million or more in gaming revenue from the casino, more than $40 million pegged for Prince George’s County alone.
Gaming opponents are expected to use the May 8 hearing to attempt to slow the project down to ensure MGM’s commitment to minority contracting and local hiring is realized.
