A parade is planned in the City of Amsterdam next week in support of casino development. Organizers hope the event will improve Montgomery County’s chances of receiving a Capital Region casino.
The casino proposal picture in Montgomery County has been a rollercoaster in the last several days.
After two public hearings in the Town of Florida and the City of Amsterdam earlier this month where local residents voiced their support, the communities passed resolutions in favor of the “Destination 27” project, a casino that would be located off Thruway Exit 27 by Canadian companies Clairvest Group, Inc., Great Canadian Gaming, and American firm Vanderwalle & Associates.
Montgomery County officials then sent their own letter to the New York State Gaming Commission asking the board halve the $50 million gambling licensing fee due June 30th and to allow a 60-day extension on the deadline. That request was turned down.
Now, the Fulton-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce is working with Amsterdam and Montgomery County to put on a rally, completewith a parade, in support of casino development.
Amsterdam Mayor Ann Thane.
“The developers have decided to go forward with their application and we want the state to know loud and clear that Exit 27 is where there should be a casino, because if they’re going to really go after transforming a community, Amsterdam is the one,” said Thane.
Thane said the public is invited to parade from a local elementary school to Shuttleworth Park, home of the Amsterdam Mohawks baseball team. The rally will occur before a game, and the city is opening the doors of the park to all who attend.
“We want everyone to come and bring their pets, and bring their children, and bring their sports teams, and their friends, and we’ll have balloons, and signs, and free admission to the baseball park, and we’ll really show what a small city can do.”
The Exit 27 project faces fierce competition for the casino license from proposals across the Capital Region, including Schenectady, Rensselaer, East Greenbush, and Howes Cave.
According to census data, Montgomery County's poverty rate is more than 19 percent, the highest of all counties eligible for a casino license in region 2, and 29 percent above the statewide average.
Montgomery County Executive Matt Ossenfort said the support for the casino project in Florida and Amsterdam has been overwhelming.
“The community in Amsterdam, Town of Florida, and Montgomery County is 100 percent behind the project because the need is so great here in this community, and people are really just craving some positive news and some opportunities for folks so they can stay here, buy homes, and all that good stuff, that has been such a tough lift for us here in Montgomery County over the years.”
The rally at Shuttleworth Park will occur at 5 p.m. on July 1st. The parade will begin at the William B. Tecler Arts in Education elementary school parking lot.
