Phila. NAACP, other African American groups back Market8
Four groups representing African American interests in Philadelphia have come out in favor of the Market8 Casino, one of five projects competing for the city's second gaming license.
Four groups representing African American interests in Philadelphia have come out in favor of the Market8 Casino, one of five projects competing for the city's second gaming license.
At a news conference Tuesday, the groups said developer Ken Goldenberg had done more than other casino sponsors to work with them to develop strategies for including minorities and women in construction work and casino jobs.
Sharmain Matlock-Turner, president of the Urban Affairs Coalition, said her group's endorsement gives it an opportunity "to get in on the ground floor" and be "an integral part" of planning.
She said Market8 had established goals for including minorities and women in contracts and jobs that are "aspirational and attainable."
During the construction phase, Market8 would set a goal of 40 percent to 45 percent participation for minorities and women in contracts and employment.
Once the casino opened, it would try to award 24 percent of its contracts to firms owned by women or minorities. The target for employment would be 45 percent minorities, women, and disadvantaged and disabled individuals.
Market8 is one of two casino projects that has minority investors among its owners. The other is Casino Revolution.
The groups lining up behind Market8 include the Urban Affairs Coalition, Philadelphia NAACP, Urban League of Philadelphia, and African-American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will decide which group, if any, should get the second license for a Philadelphia casino.
J. Whyatt Mondesire of the NAACP said the inclusion of minorities in the Pennsylvania gaming industry has been "an abject failure."
"The casino industry in this state has no owners of color," Mondesire said.
The Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, which opened in 2009, was spearheaded by an African American developer, Don Barden. He ran into financial trouble and was forced to sell his majority stake to Chicago developer and SugarHouse investor Neil Bluhm.
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