Massachusetts Gaming Commission denies Hampden and Northampton surrounding community status for MGM Springfield casino
MGM negotiated surrounding community mitigation agreements with Ludlow, Agawam, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow and Chicopee.
The agreements with Agawam and Chicopee call for each municipality to receive $125,000 up front with annual payments of $150,000.
Ludlow, East Longmeadow and Wilbraham are set to receive $50,000 up front with annual payments of $100,000.
MGM has designated West Springfield as a surrounding community, although a specific agreement is still being hashed out between MGM and the town’s newly elected mayor, Ed Sullivan.
In addition to the jobs promised to Holyoke residents, that city will receive $50,000 up front and approximately $85,000 annually from MGM based on a deal struck by Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse.
Longmeadow, Northampton and Hampden all petitioned the commission for surrounding community designation after their respective talks with MGM fell short of securing a deal.
A decision is expected later Tuesday on Longmeadow’s petition for surrounding community status.
http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/02/mass_gaming_commission_hampden.html
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