Sullivan County, NY – Senate Passes Bill That Will Expedite Gambling Hotel

Sullivan County, NY – The State Senate Monday passed legislation that will provide a number of incentives to Louis Cappelli’s company for partnering with Empire Resorts and building a new hotel, convention center, racino and harness racetrack at the old Concord Hotel site in Kiamesha Lake.

Senator John Bonacic sponsored the legislation which he called a “win-win-win” for Sullivan County, its residents in terms of jobs, its tax base and for the developers of the project.

The companion Assembly bill, sponsored by Aileen Gunther, is also expected to sail through that house.

The bill will allow the new Cappelli-Empire Resorts venture to retain 75 percent of the profits from the video gaming machines as soon as he invests $1 billion in the facilities. The plan would stay in effect for 40 years.

He must also create 2,000 full-time jobs, he must infuse $50 million into the Sullivan economy from the benefits of the resource and increase the school taxes from that venture by at least 50 percent.

“Now we need Mr. Cappelli and Empire Resorts to build the project and make it a spectacular resort and do Sullivan County proud,” said Bonacic.

Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Rouis said the county is “delighted and pleased to hear that after a decade of waiting, we are finally starting to see real movement and progression on this project.”

He said given the stat of the economy, “it has never been more apparent that Sullivan County needs sound, sustainable development.”