GOSHEN – Area business owners are hoping to get a piece of the action at the Montreign Casino Resort.
Empire Resorts Inc., the owner of the facility, which is under construction, held an open forum in Goshen for area providers of goods and services to brief them on how they could apply to do business with the facilities.
Lots of interest among potential vewndors
Empire Vice President Charles Degliomini said it is extremely important to them that they utilize local businesses from Sullivan, Dutchess, Ulster and Orange counties for goods and services needed during construction, as well as after opening in March 2018. Degliomini said they are looking for businesses to work with in a myriad of areas.
Degliomini: “Everything from
soup to nuts”
“Everything from soup to nuts,” said Degliomini. “Anyone from someone who can provide linens, to food service products, to maintenance people, electrical contractors – anything that a resort/casino might need. It’s basically a little city and we need everything from nuts and bolts, all the way up to slot machines.”
In addition to committing to working with local businesses, Montreign is also looking to hire 30 percent women and minority owned businesses from the area.
Susan Smith, owner of Floral Cottage Weddings and Events, said she appreciates Montreign giving female proprietors a level playing field.
“I think it’s great because women need a little bit more exposure so that they have a chance, a leveling field, as far as business goes,” said Smith. “I think it’s important they have a special category.”
Marcy Rydd, district sales manager for Paychex Payroll Services, said she was impressed with the openness of the forum and attention given to local proprietors.
“It was very real, very open and very honest, and they had a great Q&A session for all of the businesses throughout the area and took the time to really address people’s questions individually from the heart, which was great. It looks like they’re really focused on supporting small business owners and that is right where our heart is as well and I think everyone in the room felt that today,” Rydd said.
Bell Knapp, owner of Knapp Consultants Inc., found the forum very informative.
“It is interesting that they are reaching out to the local community and the local businesses, so that makes me happy as a local business,” Knapp said.
Businesses that are interested in providing services or goods to Montreign should go to the Montreign website and visit the vendor’s tab, which will have the forum’s entire presentation, as well as how to apply.
There is a vetting process for businesses to be pre-approved and depending on what the business provides, they may not be contacted immediately, or at all, if it’s not a service or product they require.
Businesses that are approved will be put into categories based on their offering and when it is needed at Montreign.
Degliomini said they are seeking to keep the bidding atmosphere competitive and are not really looking for sole sourcing. Unless it happens to be a very unique product, local businesses in each category will compete against each other.
