PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III and MGM officials reached a deal last week that guarantees millions of dollars in construction contracts for county businesses and jobs for residents. /Photo courtesy of Michael Yourishin
AGREEMENT continued from Page 12 bers of his team returned requests for comment about the new agreement. Officials now plan to move forward with a groundbreaking ceremony next month with an eye toward a 2016 grand opening. The new agreement sets a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) contracting goal during the construction phase of the project at 30 percent. It also establishes a construction-related employment goal of 20 percent for county residents. Once the resort opens, the agreement calls for 20 percent of all operational procurement to be spent with Prince George’s County businesses and MBEs. It also establishes a county resident hiring goal of 40 percent at opening which builds to 50 percent over the first five years of operation. “County Executive Baker and his team worked diligently in crafting a tough-but-realistic agreement. Above all things, I know we share the common goal of ensuring Prince George’s County residents receive significant economic benefits from MGM National
Harbor,” Creighton said. To ensure compliance, the agreement creates a new oversight structure to monitor terms and confirm that prescribed thresholds are met. The new structure includes the establishment of a compliance manager position and a county employee position entirely funded by MGM National Harbor. The compliance manager will work in conjunction with a five-member oversight committee that will meet quarterly to review compliance, assess progress, and ensure accountability. MGM National Harbor will also establish internship and educational opportunities for county students, including a culinary training program at Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, and programs that will provide a minimum of 10 college-level intern positions per year at the resort and at least 25 sponsorships per year in the county’s Summer Youth Enrichment Program. Additionally, MGM will fund “Community Giving Programs” that directly benefit county residents, including a $1 million contribution to various county assistance and
www.washingtoninformer.com
education agencies like Prince George’s County Community College and Bowie State University, and other nonprofit organizations. The Community Giving Programs will exceed $3 million by the resort’s fifth year of operation and will continue through the full term of the facility’s license. The agreement calls for MGM to develop a $30 million program that provides investment opportunities for local residents and a $10 million program for state-certified minority businesses that MGM already has committed to establishing. Finally, MGM has agreed to pay for the $4 million renovation of the former Thomas Addison Elementary School in Oxon Hill, which the company will use as an employment center and training facility for local residents. “This agreement validates our commitment to become not only a respected local employer, but a committed partner with the entire Prince George’s County community,” Creighton said. WI The Washington Informer
CALL (202) 670-7495
June 26, - July 2, 2014
13