Nearly 300 attend informational job fair at Newport Grand

NEWPORT – Nearly 300 job seekers attended an informational job fair at Newport Grand on Wednesday, according to a press release from Jobs for Newport.
The event highlighted 350 jobs in gaming, hospitality, event management, and spa and fitness services that would be available following the completion of the $40 million project to create the Newport Entertainment Center, pending voter approval on Nov. 4.
A recent economic impact study found that the proposed addition of table games, two restaurants, a concert and performance center, European-style spa and fitness center, and exhibition, meeting and banquet spaces will create more than 300 jobs in gaming and 50 jobs in hospitality management. It also would save the 175 existing jobs at the current facility, the release stated.

“Attendance at today’s informational jobs fair shows that demand for the jobs at the Newport Entertainment Center is extremely strong in this community,” Jobs for Newport partner Joseph R. Paolino Jr. said in prepared remarks. “For too long, Rhode Island has had one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, so we can’t afford to turn down this opportunity to save 175 jobs and add 350 new positions.”
Most of the positions the group highlighted at the event were for full-time employees with fringe benefits. As part of a package of community benefits recently introduced by the partners of the Newport Entertainment Center, called “The Newport Partnership,” preference will be given to Newport residents in hiring for the 350 new positions at Newport Grand.

“These are good paying jobs, with good benefits that will employ people year round,” Paolino said. “Giving hiring preference to local residents will ensure that renovating the Newport Grand into the Newport Entertainment Center will give our local economy a boost.”
The partners in Jobs for Newport have said they plan to hire dealers at an average annual salary of $50,000. Managers would be hired at annual salaries of $50,000 to $80,000, directors at $60,000 to $100,000, security personnel at $30,000 to $60,000, and hospitality workers at $30,000 to $80,000 a year. According to the economic impact study, those salaries are at market-rate or higher.

The study also found that the proposal would preserve existing property tax relief generated for the city by Newport Grand, increasing it by $9 million over the first six years after the upgrades are complete. This new revenue is guaranteed by state law. The project also would create more than 400 direct and indirect construction jobs.
The proposed $40 million private investment to transform Newport Grand into the Newport Entertainment Center will move forward if voters in Newport and Rhode Island approve Questions 1 and 2 on the Nov. 4 ballot, the release stated.

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