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MGM's Flirtations With Wynn Should Remind Springfield That 'Things Don't Last Forever'

The Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett is seen from Assembly Row in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Jesse Costa
/
WBUR
A rendering of the Encore Boston Casino in Everett.

As we look back at the news of this week, talks between MGM and Wynn Resorts over a possible sale of Wynn's soon-to-open casino in Everett, Massachusetts, came to an end with no deal. 

The possibility of MGM buying the Boston-area resort caught the attention of many in Springfield, where the company opened a casino last August. No company is allowed to hold more than one operating license in Massachusetts.  

Panelist Ron Chimelis said this kind of talk will continue, and "people better hunker down" and get used to it.

"We expected or we wanted, that once MGM settled in here, it would be that way forever," Chimelis said. "Well, things don't last forever. And I think people now are realizing that from time to time, these issues are going to come up and I'll be surprised if this is the last one."

MGM and Wynn announced late Tuesday they were calling off the talks, noting the "anxiety raised by various stakeholders." But panelist Carrie Saldo said one Springfield official, Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy, told her he wasn't worried.

"From [City Hall's] perspective, he says, you know, they signed the 'host community agreement,' and it is iron-clad in their opinion," Saldo said. "The host community agreement says they're gong to need the approval of the city of Springfield if MGM is going to leave."

Meanwhile, there's been scrutiny surrounding a rail car factory in Springfield with ties to the Chinese government. CRRC employs 150 locally and is making subway cars for the MBTA. Some in Congress are concerned about the security of the product, given tensions between the United States in China. There are bills pending that would forbid federal funds from being used to purchase Chinese transit vehicles. Congressman Richard Neal has said there should be a way to balance security concerns and jobs.

Also this week,several Springfield city councilors criticized Mayor Domenic Sarno over how he treats minority-owned businesses. That was after Sarno threatened to shut down a nightclub after a stabbing nearby. The councilors say the mayor is selectively picking out his targets.

And we look ahead to next week, when the Boston Bruins play the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup Finals.

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Disclosure: MGM has purchased underwriting from New England Public Radio publicizing the company's non-gambling activities. The NEPR newsroom operates independently of the station's development department, and editorial decisions are made without regard to any funding relationships.

Adam joined NEPM as a freelance reporter and fill-in operations assistant during the summer of 2011. For more than 15 years, Adam has had a number stops throughout his broadcast career, including as a news reporter and anchor, sports host and play-by-play announcer as well as a producer and technician.