Sullivan Casino Expected to Create 2,000 Construction Jobs

Monticello, N.Y. - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today released the following statement regarding the State of New York's land claim settlement with the Stockbridge-Munsee community and concurrent agreement allowing for Indian casino gaming on the tribe's new property located in Sullivan County. Hinchey has long been a supporter of Indian gaming in the Catskills and has worked for many years to convince the U.S. Department of the Interior to approve resort casinos.

Last year, Hinchey brought Larry Echo Hawk, the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, to Sullivan County to tour the region and discuss casino gaming with community leaders. Hinchey also has pushed the Department of the Interior to allow casino proposals to move forward and strongly supported the New York State agreement with the Secretary of the Interior.

"This agreement paves the way for the creation of the Catskills' first resort casino and will allow for the creation of up to 2,000 new construction jobs in Sullivan County. This region, which I am proud to represent in Congress, has a long and rich history of hospitality and tourism, and this project will help to restore the Catskills as destination for visitors from around the region and country.

"I look forward to working with the Department of the Interior and other agencies to ensure that this important economic development project is now approved at the federal level. This project will help put Sullivan County back on the map as a destination for visitors from New York City and around the country. In addition to creating a significant number of construction jobs, the Stockbridge-Munsee resort would spur further economic development in the Catskills and create much-needed permanent jobs for the area's residents."