Mashpee Wapanoag Tribe breaks ground on Taunton casino

AN ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING of the proposed First Light Resort & Casino in Taunton shows two of the planned three 15-story hotels that will anchor the property. Site work began Tuesday. / COURTESY MASHPEE WAMPANOAG INDIAN TRIBE
AN ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING of the proposed First Light Resort & Casino in Taunton shows two of the planned three 15-story hotels that will anchor the property. Site work began Tuesday. / COURTESY MASHPEE WAMPANOAG INDIAN TRIBE

TAUNTON – At a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe took the first step in the construction of its billion-dollar First Light Resort & Casino.

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council Chairman Cedric Cromwell and Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye were joined by tribal leaders; city and state officials; and residents to mark the official start of construction.

The demolition work, in conjunction with $30 million in off-site traffic improvements, will clear the way for the construction of what will be the state’s first destination resort casino. One of largest economic revitalization projects in southeastern Massachusetts in recent years, a portion of the casino is set to open for business by summer 2017.

“As People of the First Light, we are here to inaugurate the beginning of a strong economic partnership with the city of Taunton as well as the first tangible step in building an economic base for our tribal nation,” Cromwell said.

- Advertisement -

“The Wampanoag people have lived off this land for 12,000 years,” Cromwell said. “And though some doubted we would ever see this day come to pass, here we are – on track to open a first-class resort and be the first to market.”

Hoye characterized the project as a win for the tribe, the city and state.

“Not only will this this help sustain the tribe and their magnificent culture for generations to come, it will also provide a tremendous economic jolt to the proud city of Taunton and surrounding region, as well as boost revenues to the commonwealth by as much as $2 billion dollars,” Hoye said, noting the 1,000 construction jobs and 2,600 permanent jobs First Light Resort & Casino is slated create.

No posts to display