Ameristar to finalize purchase of Massachusetts casino site in January

An executive with Ameristar Casinos told the Springfield Republican the company would complete a $16 million purchase of 41 acres in the Western Massachusetts in early January to develop a hotel-casino project.

The Las Vegas-based regional casino operator wants to put a proposal for the development before Springfield voters sometime in 2012.

Ameristar is one of several gaming companies vying for a single casino license in Western Massachusetts, one of three casino resorts and a slot machine parlor approved for development by state lawmakers.

Troy Stremming, senior vice president of government relations for Ameristar Casinos, said company officials were "extremely pleased" with the reception the casino proposal received during a meeting on Dec. 6 in East Springfield attended by about 500 people.

Stremming said the site is the "premier location" for a casino in Western Massachusetts and Springfield.

"We're confident it is going to be a casino resort," Stremming said.

According to the Republican, Springfield would stand to collect millions of dollars in property, motel and meals taxes and impact fees if a casino located in the city. Officials could also make deals to assure jobs for residents and contracts for local businesses.

Ameristar has said the project would create 2,000 construction jobs and 2,800 permanent jobs.