Empire City’s proposed expansion is the employment boon Westchester’s construction trades need - by John Cooney Jr.

As hopeful applicants await decisions on where the three remaining full casino licenses will be awarded in lower New York, Westchester’s construction trades are encouraged by the possibility of an unprecedented job creation opportunity taking shape in Yonkers.

As Yonkers’ largest private employer, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts is an economic development engine for our region. Beyond its permanent workforce, Empire City employs hundreds of construction workers each year for both short- and long-term opportunities. The redevelopment of the facility would create 6,500 new construction jobs, in addition to 2,000 direct hires and thousands of indirect and induced jobs. This is an unprecedented job creation opportunity with direct benefits to the Westchester economy. 

Beyond putting our talented tradespeople with diverse skillsets to work, from masons and carpenters to electricians, plumbers, and beyond, Empire City’s redevelopment plans will infuse dollars into a broad range of local businesses. At present, Empire City spends $30 million annually with vendors within a 20-mile radius, and the procurement opportunities will grow substantially if it is awarded a full casino license. Not to mention the dollars pumped into the local economy when guests from across the tri-state region, and beyond, visit Empire City, stay in nearby hotels, dine at Westchester’s first-class restaurants, shop in our local businesses, and more. And, of course, there’s the dollars our industry spends locally, too. When the more than 600 businesses representing contractors, suppliers, consultants, and other key roles work in Westchester, they spend on everything from fuel to food locally, too.

To give a better sense of how Empire City’s redevelopment would impact our local construction workforce, consider these numbers:

• Executing Empire City’s construction plans will take an estimated three years, employing thousands of local tradespeople

• At present, the projected capital investment for this project exceeds $1.8 billion – that’s more money spent with local suppliers.

• There is an opportunity to not only employ the existing local trade people but also welcome new apprentices into the field and let them learn on the job site.

• Talent from Rockland, Putnam, and the broader Hudson Valley will be needed to get a project of this magnitude over the finish line, which brings more dollars spent on food, fuel, and other commodities into the region, providing economic benefits before the new Empire City even opens its doors.

Perhaps the greatest benefit Empire City Casino’s redevelopment plans offer to Westchester County is its shovel-ready status. Empire City Casino has the land and labor partnerships needed to break ground as soon as the casino license is awarded. Its readiness paves the way to realize economic impact in the short-term, rather than waiting years for all of the pieces of a hypothetical project to take shape. The sooner it can break ground, the sooner our tradespeople can begin working, hiring plans for new casino staff can begin, and Westchester can experience a boost in local tourism dollars from eager casino visitors.

As for Westchester’s construction trades, we’re ready to roll. We have the skilled labor, availability, and grit needed to take Empire City’s plans from blueprint to reality. As residents, taxpayers, and supporters of local businesses, we are proud to live, work, and play in this vibrant community. Advancing Empire City’s role as a regional economic development engine, good neighbor to our schools, and hub for tourist attractions makes financial sense for our region and is the boost of good funding, goodwill, and good times that Westchester County needs.

John Cooney Jr. is executive director of the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, Inc., Tarrytown, N.Y.