Senator Helming, Ontario County, Town of Farmington Statements on Potential Seneca Nation Casino in Rochester Area

Senator Helming and leaders in Ontario County and Farmington have joined in calling on the state to engage local officials and consider the potentially broad, regional impacts of a possible casino in the Rochester area.

Senator Pam Helming said, “I urge the Governor’s office to do the right thing and ensure that any discussion of a potential casino in the Rochester area include the input of local officials and stakeholders in Ontario County and the Finger Lakes region. A decision of this magnitude must consider the broad impacts to local employers, our workforce, and our economy as a whole. Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack contributes significantly to Ontario County and our region, through jobs, opportunities for our farmers and small businesses, and through tax dollars that support local nonprofits and make critical investments possible in our local communities. Counties, municipalities and taxpayers deserve to have their voices heard in this process.”

Todd Campbell, Chairman, Ontario County Board of Supervisors said, “We call on the Governor, Senate and Assembly to delay any further action on the proposed gaming compact and fully engage all affected local communities to ensure that any unintended negative consequences of this proposal are fully understood and accounted for before moving forward.”

Ontario County has been home to Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack since 1962. It’s a major employer and integral part of the community. County officials stressed that a potential casino in Rochester could pose a significant risk to the future viability of Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack and the crucial role it plays in Ontario County.

Ryan Davis, Executive Director, Ontario County Office of Economic Development said, “Ontario County has had a long partnership with Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack and they continue to be an important local employer, community partner and regional economic driver. The Ontario County Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC) and the Ontario County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) share Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack’s concerns with the potential creation of another gaming facility in our region. Furthermore, the OCEDC and OCIDA are proud of their long record of regional collaboration and welcome the opportunity to share these concerns. A change of this magnitude deserves careful consideration, regional input and cooperation. We echo the sentiments of our regional partners and urge New York State to allow for thoughtful input from all of us who call the Rochester region our home.”

Davis said during the Ontario County Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC) meeting held on June 13, and after individual conversations with members of the Ontario County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA), both Boards expressed their collective concern over a potential gaming facility in Rochester.

Peter Ingalsbe, Supervisor, Town of Farmington said, “Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack employs 1,000 people, mostly union jobs. We use our VLT revenues to keep our town taxes low and to fund capital projects like our highway garage, Town Justices building and a new 40-acre park. Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack is the closest to Rochester and relies on customers from the Rochester area. It would inevitably suffer by having another casino in the Rochester area.”