By Howard Koplowitz
The developer of the redevelopment project at Aqueduct Race Track said it was infusing an extra $100 million into the racino, which clears the way for an additional 350 permanent jobs at the track — a 50 percent increase in its workforce.
The announcement came last Thursday during a news conference at which Resorts World New York said its employment center was opening Monday.
“This project has always been about bringing jobs to Queens,” said Resorts World New York President Mike Speller.
There will now be 1,150 permanent positions available at the racino — 350 more than what was originally announced.
Speller said the additional jobs are mostly in the food service sector, but they are spread among a wide variety of areas.
He said the project is not just about jobs, “it’s about creating careers and about forging relations with our community.
“There are so many job opportunities … and we have taken another big step to providing those opportunities to the local workforce” with the employment center, Speller said.
Besides stopping by the employment center, which will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, job seekers can also apply on Resorts World’s website at rwnewyork.com and clicking on the careers link.
Kevin Bogle, vice president of human resources for Resorts World, said the company expects between 600 to 1,000 applicants to visit the employment center on its first day and the website has handled between 150 and 200 applications a day since the site went up last month.
Bogle said there will be no on-site interviews at the employment center, but job seekers can hand in their résumés.
“This job center is another way to continue our commitment to hire locally first,” he said.
Bogle said Resorts World is working in conjunction with three local employment centers to find the right job candidates: the Queens Workforce 1 Career Center, the Educational Opportunity Center and the Council for Airport Opportunity.
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) commended Resorts World on opening the employment center, saying it was “another promise made to the state and to the area about job opportunities.
“To see the progress going on here is pleasing not just as an elected official but as a resident,” said Addabbo, who lives near the track in Ozone Park.
State Assemblywoman Vivian Cook (D-Jamaica) said she was excited the racino was about to open, with the first phase expected to be completed in late summer.
“I’m looking forward to putting some dimes into your slot machines and diverting the traffic from Atlantic City,” Cook said.
City Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) said the more than 1,000 permanent positions will help the community,
“With over 1,000 jobs coming into our community … it means we now have over 1,000 opportunities for people to put food on their table,” pay their mortgage and own a home, Wills said.
Betty Braton, chairwoman of Community Board 10, noted there are more than 160,000 people over 18 years old who live within 1 1/2 miles of Aqueduct.
“We look forward to this project moving forward to fruition and seeing 1,000 people employed here,” she said.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
