Background

In 2018, Sullivan County, New York, anticipated the opening of the Resorts World Catskills Casino in Monticello, projected to create approximately 2,280 jobs. Local officials and business owners expressed concerns about potential labor shortages in the region, which already had low unemployment rates.

Challenge

The primary challenge was to assess whether the influx of new jobs would strain the local labor market, potentially leading to employee turnover and economic instability for existing businesses.

Solution

Capacity Consulting conducted a comprehensive workforce study in February 2017 to evaluate the potential impact of the casino on the local labor market. The study analyzed commuting patterns, workforce availability, and the likelihood of attracting workers from neighboring regions.

Findings

The study revealed:

• Commuting Potential: Workers were willing to commute up to approximately 43 minutes, expanding the labor pool to include neighboring counties and regions, totaling over 150,000 potential workers.
• Labor Market Impact: The casino’s job creation represented a modest increase in the broader labor market, suggesting that the local workforce could accommodate the new positions without significant disruption.
• Attracting Unemployed Workers: The availability of entry-level positions at the casino had the potential to entice discouraged workers back into the labor force, with 32% of unemployed respondents indicating interest in such jobs.

Recommendations

Capacity Consulting proposed several strategies to mitigate potential labor shortages:

1. Training Programs: Implement entry-level resort training curricula to prepare unemployed individuals for casino employment.
2. Educational Partnerships: Collaborate with local community colleges to develop resort management degree programs.
3. Employee Retention Initiatives: Establish outreach programs to assist existing employers in retaining their workforce.
4. Skills Development: Create general skills training accessible to all regional employees.
5. Public Relations Campaign: Promote careers in hospitality and food service to boost community interest.

Outcome

By implementing these recommendations, Sullivan County successfully integrated the new casino workforce without causing significant disruptions to existing businesses. The county’s workforce expanded to its largest size in decades, demonstrating the effectiveness of Capacity Consulting’s data-driven approach.

Client Testimonial

Marc Baez, CEO of Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, stated, “Sullivan County hired Capacity Consulting to allay fears and misconceptions that the casino and other large-scale new developments in Sullivan County would cannibalize the existing workforce. The reality is that not only did that not happen, but we have been able to increase our workforce to the largest that it’s been in several decades.”

Conclusion

Capacity Consulting’s thorough analysis and strategic recommendations enabled Sullivan County to embrace new economic opportunities while maintaining labor market stability, showcasing the firm’s expertise in economic development and workforce planning.