TRIBES TRANSFER $1 MILLION TO DEPT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION

FUNDING IS FOR REGULATORY COSTS FOR PUBLIC ACT 17-89, WHICH APPROVED THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRIBAL WINDS CASINO

(EAST WINDSOR, CT) – The Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribes today announced that MMCT Venture, the joint company created by the tribes to save jobs and revenue in Connecticut, recently wired $1 million to the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), as required under Public Act 17-89.

The transfer of these funds, meant to offset the state’s regulatory costs prior to the casino’s opening, is the first step in the ongoing process to finance, construct and open Tribal Winds Casino, the new gaming and entertainment facility in East Windsor.

“For the last several months, we’ve been working with the town, our design team and our finance team to get ready,” said Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Chairman Rodney Butler. “Now that the issues with the Department of Interior have been resolved, we’re excited to take this  step. We’ll be announcing financing and an updated construction timeline in the very near future.”

“The payment we’re making today to the state ensures that Connecticut taxpayers won’t have to pay for any costs associated with the opening of Tribal Winds Casino,” said acting Mohegan Tribe Chairman James Gessner.  “Since the inception of this project, our tribes have talked about saving Connecticut jobs and revenue, and today is just the latest example of how we intend to honor our partnership with the state.”

Tribal Winds Casino is expected to employ 5,000 Connecticut residents, with 2,000 slated for hiring during construction and 2,000 permanent employees at the facility. An additional 1,000 jobs are expected at the many small businesses that will help service the facility.

Once operational, Tribal Winds Casino will boost funding by $750,000 in Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, East Hartford, Ellington, Enfield, Norwalk, South Windsor, Waterbury and Windsor Locks. East Windsor is expected to receive $8.5 million in new tax and mitigation funding.

“This million-dollar payment from the tribes to the state shows that we have a very active and trusted partner in the Mohegan and Mashantucket tribes in helping to move Connecticut forward on the jobs and economic development front, ” said State Senator Catherine Osten (D-Sprague). “It’s yet another in a long series of good-faith efforts by them.”

“This is evidence that the Tribes are ready to support the region and the state,” said State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor). “It’s a great example of the readiness and the eagerness they’re showing in preparing for the road ahead and for supporting the region with the thousands of jobs they’re bringing to East Windsor. It’s another great step forward for this important project.”

“Connecticut needs to create more opportunities for residents to find good paying jobs, and the Tribal Winds project will do just that,” said State Senator Paul Formica (R – East Lyme). “By covering the cost of the expanded regulations, the Tribes are making sure taxpayers will bear no burden whatsoever for the new facility. They’ve been good partners and their actions only continue to prove that point.”

“When we passed PA 17-89, we were making a statement that the jobs and revenue from our two tribal casinos were highly valued and worth protecting,” said State Senator Heather Somers (R – Groton).Now that we’re getting closer to realizing that goal, I’m excited for the new opportunities that will open up for the trades and for people who work in the gaming industry. Today’s news is a positive development for our region and for the entire state.”

“Tribal Winds is going to bring jobs and much needed revenue to East Windsor, the surrounding communities and the entire Greater Hartford area,” said State Representative Chris Davis (R – East Windsor & Ellington).  “The allocation of this funding is the latest step in a project that will transform our region, and one that will help relieve the taxpayers the cost of the regulatory process.”

“The Tribes have been our partners for centuries, and today’s action is just another example of how tried and true that partnership has become,” said State Representative Carol Hall (R – East Windsor).  “I’m proud to represent the future site of Tribal Winds because I know once the facility is operational, it will bring new opportunities for my constituents.”

“Both Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have not only been huge employers in our region, they’ve also been good neighbors,” said State Representative Mike France (R – Ledyard). “From veterans to some of our most vulnerable residents, their charitable contributions help people in our region and across the state to thrive.  I want to thank them for taking another step forward on a project that will make two vital employers in our state more competitive.”

“The many people who live in my district that work at one of the two casino have good paying jobs with good benefits,” said State Representative Emmet Riley (D – Norwich). “Once Tribal Winds is up and running, those same opportunities will be available for another region of our state.  I want to thank the tribes for their continued partnership and commitment to our state.

“Tourism is a billion dollar industry in our state thanks in large part to the two tribal casinos that operate in our region,” said State Representative Kevin Ryan (D – Montville). “Now that Public Act 17-89 is officially approved, I’m glad to see the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegans taking this step.  It’s the first action called for in the legislation that will make preserving this important industry a reality.”

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