Penn National awards grant to Square One
Date: 12/10/2012
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comSPRINGFIELD — MGM International Resorts has made several donations to city non-profits and Penn National Gaming Inc. started to do the same on Dec. 6 with a $25,000 grant to Square One.
Penn National and the Peter and Melissa Picknelly Charitable Fund made the grant in response to the destruction of the daycare's facility on Worthington Street. The rented building was condemned from the damage caused it by the recent gas explosion.
The $25,000 was a challenge grant and Kimberly Lee, vice president of Advancement at Square One, said that she and Square One CEO Joan Kagan were able to raise the day care's share in one day.
The day care facility had already lost is principal building in the South End during the June 1, 2011 tornado and the loss of the second facility meant the relocation of 100 children in other day care providers.
Kagan said the grant would be used to buy necessary supplies to support those children.
While the company is planning to rebuild its South End headquarters, Kagan said she has not yet made the decision of finding a location to replace the one on Worthington Street.
She said that Penn Gaming reached out to Square One informing them of the grant opportunity.
Eric Schippers, senior vice president of Public Affairs for Penn Gaming, explained that such a donation creates "positive ripples of economic development." Penn National, which plans to build its casino on a site now being used by the Peter Pan Bus Terminal, The Republican building and the former Kittredge building, said the Worthington Street day care facility is "part of our neighborhood."
Schippers said the activities of the Penn National charitable arm is "independent of the competitive process" and added, "MGM has a strong track record supporting communities."
Underscoring the casino company's commitment to the city, Schippers added, "We are coming to Springfield. It's truly full steam ahead."
Picknelly said Penn National shares with him a concern about what happens in Springfield.
Although Picknelly had been associated with the proposed Mohegan Sun casino project in Palmer, he is committed in his partnership with Penn National. He explained that he was "simply a land investor" in the Palmer location and that he ended his involvement there months ago.
He said he believes the North End location is "the best place for a casino" and added, "It's not displacing any businesses and not affecting any neighborhoods."
