In November 2011, MA Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a casino bill allowing for
three casinos and a slot parlor in the state.
Three zones were set up to spread out the casinos. Projected cost of each casino is around $600
million.
Casino operators began searching for potential sites
in Western, MA, including some which have already changed their plan and/or location due to community push back. Five to seven appear to still be interested in the idea with three looking at locations in Springfield, one in Palmer and up to three in Holyoke. As you might imagine, our classmate Eric Suher, as a significant land owner in this part of the state, drew a lot of attention from these operators.
In January 2012. Alex Morse, age 22, was sworn in as mayor of Holyoke, MA after having run on an
anti-casino platform.
In June 2012 One Holyoke casino project led by Paper City Development
decided to shutter efforts after meeting with the mayor and his
reaffirmation of his anti-casino stance.
November 2012 Mayor Morse announces he has changed his mind on a casino in Holyoke and he supports a new development put forward by The
Iron Horse Entertainment Group led by Eric Suher as his choice for Holyoke!
The only part of the back-story I think I know involves
three things. First, I don't think Eric
has any particular affinity for casinos or gambling. Second, as one of the largest landowners in
western, ma Eric was certainly a target for other developers who wanted to buy
land from him in order to develop a project which forced his hand to decide if he wanted to develop a plan himself. Third, the mayor of Holyoke
seems to have determined that if a casino is going to come to western, ma then it
might as well benefit his city rather than nearby Springfield.
A $400,000 deposit to the state is required by January 15, 2013 to
formally participate in the developer selection process, with a $25,000 fee required by the city of Holyoke due this week.
Eric was born and raised in Holyoke FYI...
Eric was born and raised in Holyoke FYI...
