GI Chamber exec shares perspective on employment
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Several Grand Island area representatives cut the ribbon, officially opening the Grand Island Casino Dec. 27.
Just minutes after the first coins had been inserted into the slot machines last week, the new Grand Island Casino was already being touted as a major new entertainment attraction and source of growth for the area.
“From a Chamber perspective, we’re looking not only at the growth because of the entertainment industry, but we’re also looking at the impact of the construction and the impact of the employment and what that means to the community on an on-going basis,” said Cindy Johnson, president of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce. “So the attractions, the visitors, the construction, the employment all add up to a real positive on behalf of the community.”
Asked if she is concerned about Elite Casino Resorts’ ability to fill its 500 eventual jobs as well as the impact that might have on the area job market, Johnson shared a candid response.
“Yes,” she said. “I am concerned. Employment opportunities are far greater than potential employees, so as much as I’m concerned about them being able to find the employees, I’m most concerned with the existing businesses who are going to lose employees potentially to the casino. I’ve already seen it happening because their commitment to their employees is strong, their wages are solid, the benefit package is there, so it will have a ripple effect.
“Any time you bring in a company that will hire 200 to 300 individuals, ratcheting that up to 500, there will be an impact,” she continued. “And the community will respond as we always have by ingenuity and innovation, ensuring that we’re maximizing each of the individuals that we do have employed throughout our community.”
That impact, Johnson continued, will likely be felt beyond Grand Island and even Hall County.
“About 12 to 15 percent of our employment base comes from outside of Hall County, so that’s the latest number,” she said. “I would see that potentially increasing and I think we’ll see that in the next census. We have to find employees somewhere.”
One of the 200 or so new employees welcoming guests on opening day was Michelle Hilligas, a Lincoln native who lived and worked in Hamilton County for several years.
“I do hope to see a lot of familiar faces here,” said Hilligas, who was hired to manage the casino’s Resort Club. “In fact, I’ve already seen several familiar faces today. It’s so exciting and it’s such a short drive from Aurora, Hampton and Hamilton County, so I look forward to seeing everybody and I want to help them have some fun.”
