SCHENECTADY – The Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution this evening supporting Rivers Casino & Resort at Mohawk Harbor. SCCC offers Upstate New York’s only Casino and Gaming Management degree program. The College also announced plans to offer job training for the new Schenectady casino location at both its Schenectady campus as well as the SCCC extension site at 112 State Street in downtown Albany.
“Rivers Casino & Resort will offer tremendous job opportunities for SCCC students and graduates from our Casino and Gaming Management, Hospitality and Tourism, Culinary Arts and Hotel and Restaurant Management programs,” said SCCC Acting President Martha Asselin. “We greatly look forward to working with Rush Street Gaming to place trained employees in new careers rights here in Schenectady at Mohawk Harbor, which is very close to the SCCC main campus.”
The Galesi Group and Rush Street Gaming are partnering to build a $450 million development at Mohawk Harbor that will create 1,250 new, permanent jobs plus hundreds of construction jobs.
As home to Upstate New York’s only Casino and Gaming Management Program, the College is uniquely positioned to benefit from Rivers Casino & Resort. The degree program was developed by the College in anticipation of the expansion of casino gaming in New York. SCCC’s Culinary and Hotel Management programs will also benefit as Mohawk Harbor will include two new hotels and restaurants.
Anthony Jasenski, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “We appreciate this vote of support by SCCC’s Board of Trustees. Schenectady has a shovel ready site, strong community support, the best casino operator and the strongest local developer all working together to create a dynamic new waterfront destination. With SCCC’s full support, we also have the best training program to link job seekers with new careers.”
The New York State Gaming Commission has called for casino applications by the end of the month. The state is anticipated to make a decision on casino licensing in the fall.
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About Schenectady County Community College: One of the 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, the nation’s largest comprehensive system of higher education, Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) in upstate New York enrolls more than 7,000 students. SCCC offers more than 40 career degree, transfer degree and certificate programs. The College opened its doors for classes in 1969 and continues to provide affordable comprehensive higher education and adult educational opportunities in response to local educational needs. To learn more, visit www.sunysccc.edu.