PALMER, MA-Mohegan Sun reported on Thursday it had reached a host community agreement for its proposed casino here that would involve payments to the town of $16 million each year.
Mohegan Sun is competing with MGM Resorts International and Hard Rock for the sole casino license in Western Massachusetts, according to the Hartford Courant.
The agreement, which must meet approval from local officials as well as a town referendum, calls for the $16 million in annual payments to be earmarked for the town of Palmer's economic development initiatives, fire and police departments, and public works improvements.
"It's a very good deal for the town," says Charlie Blanchard, town manager of Palmer. "It's a fair deal for Mohegan."
That host agreement payment with Mohegan Sun is less than MGM Resorts International's projected annual payments for its casino in Springfield ($25 million) and Hard Rock's gaming project in the town of West Springfield ($26 million). See story in the Hartford Courant.
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