MONTICELLO – The Partnership for Economic Development in Sullivan County is a private nonprofit business association, whose mission is to create business opportunities for its members and by extension positively impact the greater Sullivan County area. Through its economic development programs and facilitative efforts, it has worked for decades to bring economic opportunity to an area that desperately needed investment and job creation. It is no surprise that the Partnership played an integral role in helping to secure the passage of the Proposition 1 Legislation opening up the pathway to legalized commercial gambling facilities in NYS. Furthermore, the organization facilitated support for Sullivan County-based applicants throughout the license competition process. Expectations were high as the Resorts World development was the single largest in term of investment the county had experienced. The results proved certain as predicted by the first Capacity Consulting independent study which asserted the siting of a commercial gambling facility in Sullivan County would positively impact our area far greater than areas located elsewhere.

Since the approval and despite unforeseen challenges, not the least of which was the Covid 19 shut down, Resorts World Catskills has persevered. Today, through a series of steady methodical steps, Resorts World Catskills continues to be a major employer and welcomes growing list of patrons, corporate associations, and now golfers from throughout the tri-state region and beyond. The bottom line is it has worked. Unemployment remains at low single-digit levels throughout the year, consistently outperforming more populus areas. Median household income is up 31%, hourly wages are up, and median home prices have more than doubled. Now in a strategic effort to enhance the work that has been done to become more competitive, be more flexible and leverage opportunities, Resorts World Catskills worked with Sullivan County economic development team to position itself for future success.

Resorts World Catskills new agreement with the Sullivan County Resorts Facility Local Development Corporation is a big win for Sullivan County. It is a testament to their commitment to the Sullivan County now and in the future. This agreement allows them to explore development opportunities for the 1,500-acre site where they are located, in partnership with organizations like the Sullivan County Partnership, to determine its highest and best use for the future of the County. Resorts World Catskills has made it clear they are here for the long haul, with a demonstrated leadership to give themselves and this entire region the financial stability to create more growth and economic opportunity in the Sullivan Catskills. We are grateful for their partnership over the last six years, with a clear message from them that we are only just getting started. For more than six years, Resorts World has been a reliable partner in creating jobs, strengthening our economy, and helping build long-term stability in the Catskills. This new step reaffirms that their investment in our county is here to stay.