A message from Commissioner Bruce Stebbins, recognizing MGM Springfield’s success in exceeding all construction period diversity goals
- October 22, 2018
- by MGC Communications
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MGM highlighted their successful construction diversity program on Tuesday October 9th, inviting members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), local officials, building trade leaders, AECOM Tischman Construction and numerous contractors and subcontractors to join MGM Springfield’s construction management team in celebration. The event highlighted the teamwork and partnership between stakeholders that allowed the project to reach targets for hiring of minorities, women and veterans on the construction workforce and engaging minority, women and veteran-owned businesses for the development of the Commonwealth’s first casino. MGM Springfield celebrated their success in not only meeting but surpassing all of these goals.
The Expanded Gaming Act of 2011 called for any licensee to create a plan for using minority, woman and veteran-owned firms for the design, construction and operation of our casinos. The legislation provided more specific goals for minorities and women to be included in the construction workforce. Those goals followed specific targets set for other state capital construction projects.
Ten companies were recognized on Tuesday for reaching the highest percentage of minority, women and veterans in their workforce. Central Ceilings, JRL Construction, Northern Construction Services, Coghlin Electrical, H Carr & Sons, S&F Concrete, AECOM/Tishman Construction, D.A. Sullivan & Sons and Fontaine Brothers Inc. were recognized for their efforts. One company, Ultimate Abatement, was recognized for achieving the highest percentage of minority and women workforce hours with their all-women work crew.
MGC Commissioner Bruce Stebbins (left) presents MGM Springfield Vice President of Construction and Development Brian Packer (center) with a Certificate of Appreciation for MGM Springfield’s commitment to diversity goals. Also pictured: MGM Resorts International Vice President of National Diversity Relations Tony Gladney (right)
The MGM Springfield Construction Diversity Appreciation Night, October 9, 2018. Photo courtesy MGM Springfield.
MGC Commissioner Bruce Stebbins addresses the crowd at the MGM Springfield Construction Diversity Appreciation Night. Photo courtesy MGM Springfield.
Earlier that day, MGM submitted their last diversity report to the MGC’s Access and Opportunity Committee and thanked the stakeholders who had invested significant time to ensuring their success. This group includes the union building tradescommunity representatives and other stakeholders. The Gaming Commission was pleased to receive this last report, which showed MGM exceeded its goals for diversity during the construction period: 8.55% of hours were worked by women, 21.78% were worked by minorities, and 8.71% were worked by veterans. Those figures beat goals of 6.9%, 15.3%, and 8.0% respectively.
Members of the Access and Opportunity Committee pose with a “Build A Life That Works” poster at MGM Springfield’s close-out meeting, October 9, 2018
The MGM Springfield project may have transformed part of the city’s downtown, which was devastated in the 2011 tornado, but we have learned how local residents and businesses have had their lives and opportunities transformed by being involved in this project. We hope the success demonstrated through this effort can be replicated with other development projects across the Commonwealth.