The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
OIN upped local investments
VERONA, N.Y. >> TheOneida Indian Nation increased investments in Central New York by more than $67 million in 2018.
The increase was driven by the openingof thenew65,000-squarefoot Point Place Casino in Bridgeport and the opening of several Maple Leaf Markets, and represents a 22 percent increase from 2017. The increase does not include an additional $60 million in Nation payments under the settlement agreement to New York state and surrounding counties.
The Nation also continued its investments in Turning Stone Resort Casino, the Yellow Brick Road Casino, and its S vOn Stores.
“We are proud that these new investments support thousands of jobs throughout the region and we are confident that they position our region to be a leader in the tourism economy,” said Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Nation Enterprises CEO Ray Halbritter.
“Madison County certainly understands the capital investments made by the Oneida Nation spin into jobs,” said Madison County Chairman John Becker. “Jobs that mean paychecks for employees whomalso spend their dollars locally, in housing, vehicles and other durable goods.”
In all, the Oneida Nation spent $207 million on vendors in New York – a more than 50 percent increase over 2017. That includes
$99 million in Oneida, Madison and Onondaga counties, an increase of more than $30 million from2017.
“We also continue to reap the benefits of the historic 2013 settlement agreement, which last year alone, provided Oneida County with more than $16 million in gaming revenue and has allowed for no increase to our tax levy for six years in a row,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr.
The Nation now contracts with more than 1,700 vendors in New York. These include everything from food producers, to IT firms to construction related companies.
In 2018, the Nation also paid more than $157 million to 4,750 employees – an increase from 2017.