Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 9/6/2022
SPRINGFIELD – In a festive Aug. 26 celebration for employees and community members, MGM Springfield Chairperson Chris Kelley and local leaders reflected upon the casino’s impact through unprecedented trials and tribulations.
“We’re only four years old … but we’ve lived a lifetime in a short time,” said Kelley in his address to attendees. Kelley took time to thank the employees, community and government officials for the support MGM has received from its initial construction to present day. State Reps. Carlos Gonzalez and Brian Ashe along with representatives from state Sen. Adam Gomez’s office were in attendance for the celebration.
The event also marked MGM’s donation of $75,000 split between six different community entities. The organizations include Community Music School, YWCA of Western Massachusetts, the Holyoke Health Center, Open Pantry Community Services, Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts and Link to Libraries.
The donations will aid the organizations in a variety of manners. For Dress for Success, the funds will further support the nonprofit’s one-on-one mentorship program for unemployed women aspiring to join the workforce, while the YWCA will distribute food kits and gift cards as a part of their equity-based platform.
Kelley said it’s essential for MGM to serve as a supportive community partner.
“We live here, we work here, and we are a part of this community … When we work together with extraordinary partners, that is when amazing things happen,” said Kelley.
Kelley also took time to reflect on MGM Springfield’s origins. The 14-acre site was originally demolished a decade ago after the damage incurred by the 2011 tornado.
“It’s hard not to see every day from then until now as a gift, but also a story of resilience, of collaboration and renaissance,” said Kelley.
Since the casino’s debut, MGM Springfield faced the unique challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. The business re-opened its doors in June 2021 with limited hours before expanding to 24/7 services in December 2021. MGM Springfield continues to gradually reopen several of its core services as business embraces a new normal.
Kelley stressed that the organization and the city alike continue to bolster a “fighting spirit” through the unique difficulties.
“It is fair to say that the fighting spirit is a calling card of our DNA,” said Kelley.
In his address, Mayor Domenic Sarno reflected upon MGM Springfield’s impact in the city. He thanked MGM Springfield for creating thousands of jobs, investing $1 billion in the city and creating a sense of excitement. Additionally, Sarno said he envisions MGM Springfield as an integral part of the city’s future.
“We’re starting now to get our mojo back, and MGM is a big catalyst in the downtown area, the city of Springfield and Western Mass.,” said Sarno.
Kelley and Sarno also referenced the upcoming addition of sports betting in Massachusetts after years of legislative debate. Both viewed the addition as an exciting infusion of economic growth.
“Let’s open up that sports book,” said Sarno in his closing remarks.
Looking forward, Kelley envisions a prosperous future for MGM Springfield and the city alike.
“As we look ahead, we see sunlight and we see far more clear skies than we do clouds. We feel optimism and we see strengths in the eyes and resilience of this community…Cheers to number four and many, many more,” said Kelley.