The developers of a proposed $650 million sports and water park resort in Palmer, Massachusetts, are looking to the state to cover some costs.
The developer said the resort would employ 2,000 people and include a hotel, townhouses, indoor and outdoor sports fields and two water parks -- all on the site where Mohegan Sun tried to build a casino a few years ago, but were blocked by Palmer voters.
Paul Robbins is a spokesperson for the developer. He said that for this project, they'll need local planning board approval, and will try to get the state to pitch in on infrastructure needs.
"There has been some preliminary outreach to the [Baker] administration and the response has been very enthusiastic," Robbins said. "I think they think it would be a great use of an underutilized property right off of the Massachusetts Turnpike."
Palmer's town manager, Charlie Blanchard, said those infrastructure needs could include roadways and a new rotary at the intersection of Route 32 and Shearer Street.
"So those kind of improvements may be something they're looking to get some help from the state on," Blanchard said.
The state’s office of housing and economic development offered no comment on this specific project. But it said the Baker administration is proud of its collaborations with businesses and communities on economic development opportunities, and plans to continue those kinds of discussions.
The state last month announced it would invest $35 million to pay for infrastructure needs and market-rate housing for a project in downtown Worcester that includes a minor league ballpark.
