MGM releases first compliance report in Springfield; NH House committee OKs expanded gambling

MGM Resorts International issued a 50-page report on Wednesday, detailing the specifics of its compliance with its host community agreement with the city of Springfield, Massachusetts.

In the report, MGM noted a series of initiatives it has begun, including information sessions with local vendors and suppliers and workforce training programs for prospective employees. The company also said that interest in the construction project has been on the rise as 206 businesses have signed up for a database and expressed interest in being part of the project, which is regarded as one of the biggest development programs the region has seen in many years. MGM also said that it has purchased $30 million in real estate and paid the city more than $1 million.

Despite the documented progress MGM has made, work on the actual casino has yet to begin. It’s been over a month since the ceremonial groundbreaking of the 14.5-acre site and to this day, little has been done that constitutes any kind of construction progress being made.

Turns out, MGM is holding off on the start of construction until it clears up an issue with the state historic commission pertaining to a historic school building the casino operator plans to tear down to make room for a parking garage. A spokesman for the commission told the Associated Press that discussions are underway on the steps needed to ensure that the casino could proceed with construction while also maintaining parts of the historical sites.