Pennsylvania’s Beaver County might have just hit the jackpot. Monroe County-based Mount Airy Casino has recently purchased over 100 acres of land near the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 376 where it is reportedly going to build a mini-casino and entertainment complex in Big Beaver.
Mount Airy Pittsburgh, the casino, is expected to go live in late 2019 bringing with it hundreds of jobs and potentially millions in gambling tax revenue. The jobs that the casino is expected to create are likely to come soon as the casino is expected to break ground on the gambling and entertainment facility sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.
“We’re thrilled to bring our four-diamond customer service, high-quality entertainment and luxurious amenities to Beaver County and the surrounding communities while contributing a positive lasting impact on the local economy,” said Lisa DeNaples, the owner and managing trustee of Mount Airy Casino Resort in the Poconos. “For over a decade, Mount Airy Casino Resort in the Poconos has paved the way as one of the nation’s most dynamic, upscale destination casino resorts. Our thoughtful expansion into the Pittsburgh and tri-state area represents a huge milestone in our effort to do what we live and breathe every day.”
Even though the sale price of the property has not been made public, we know that the parcel of land that is off Fairlane Boulevard was purchased from Pat Nardelli, a local developer. As for the construction details, it is going to be designed by the Friedmutter Group, which is famous for its work on the Las Vegas-based Cosmopolitan resort.
“We envision the casino as just the start of building something truly special for the tri-state area,” Lisa DeNaples added. “Imagine not just a casino, but a destination that raises industry-wide expectations and standards — serving as a phenomenal gathering space for celebrations and live entertainment and bringing upwards of 700 jobs to regional residents.”
The first phase of development will include a total of 750 slot machines, 30 table games, a buffer as a well as a sports bar. The next phase’s development plans include a convention center, a restaurant, a full-service resort hotel, a salon, a spa, a pool and other “destination-focused” entertainment facilities.
Exciting Economic Development for the County
Mount Airy submitted a winning $21 million bid in February for one of the 10 mini-casino licenses that will be built across the Keystone State as part of the state’s statewide gambling expansion plans. As stipulated in their winning bid, the casino operator’s officials committed to locating the proposed mini-casino within a 15-mile radius of New Castle in Lawrence County.
“This is an exciting time of economic development in Beaver County that will be further spurred by Mount Airy’s new investment,” Daniel Camp, chairman of the Beaver County commissioners, commented. “I welcome the economic growth and entertainment options this will bring not only to the citizens of Beaver County but to those in neighboring regions. After working with the Mount Airy management team for the past several months, I know they will be great partners for Beaver County and Big Beaver Borough.”