Schenectady's $350 million casino will be seeking local vendors, suppliers, workers

Businesses that want to supply products and services for the new $350 million Rivers Casino and Resort proposed in Schenectady, New York will get a chance to learn more about the process during an upcoming vendor fair.

Officials at Rush Street Gaming, the Chicago-based operator seeking a state license to build the casino along the Mohawk River, said the fair will be held in July, though a specific date has not been announced.

Mary Cheeks, who was just named the casino’s general manager, will be in charge of developing relationships with vendors and suppliers. The licensing requirements have yet to be released by the state.

Cheeks, who is currently senior vice president of finance at Rush Street’s two casinos in Pennsylvania, was in town Monday to attend meetings and introduce herself to the news media. She will be looking for a place to live this summer and expects to settle here by October.

Examples of third-party vendor opportunities at the casino include overnight custodial services and snow removal.

Rush Street Gaming already signed a letter of intent with Mallozzi’s, a full-service restaurant and catering business in Rotterdam, to help manage day-to-day operations, develop recipes and concepts for food service inside the 150,000-square-foot casino.

Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin said the arrangements in Schenectady will likely be similar to the firm’s casino in suburban Chicago, where a third-party provides food management but all of the workers are employed directly by the casino.

Among the casino’s features will be a 10,000-square-foot banquet hall capable of hosting 600 people for a sit-down dinner and other large events, such as boxing matches and trade shows.