MGM National Harbor Champions Diversity and Community Commitment as a Leading New Employer in the Capital Region

Resort Casino injects Prince George’s County with $320 million in spending with Minority Business Enterprises; hires diverse local residents to fill 4,000 new jobs; donates over $1 million to local charities
Dec 7, 2016 6:15 PM ET

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., December 7, 2016 /3BL Media/ – MGM National Harbor announces that it has met and exceeded all of its commitments to Prince George’s County, Md. under the Community Benefits Agreement. The luxury casino resort, set to open on December 8, has hired 48 percent of its 4,000 employees from the County and donated more than $1 million to local organizations. Workforce development, economic inclusion, philanthropy, and community engagement have been integral to the resort’s success as a transformational project in the Capital Region. Ahead of its Grand Opening, MGM National Harbor has achieved results that set a new precedent for diversity and inclusion by a large employer, and are historic for any project of this scale in the State of Maryland. 

“Our company has long-standing commitments to the communities where our resorts operate. We set out to enhance this community through meaningful economic and philanthropic engagement, as well as by creating thousands of new career opportunities. Once the doors are open, I firmly believe everyone will see MGM National Harbor as something the entire Capital Region can be proud of, and that as a company MGM delivers on all of its promises and more,” said Lorenzo D. Creighton, President and COO, MGM National Harbor.   The MGM National Harbor team reflects the rich cultural heritage of the region, with 81% of employees who self-identify as an ethnic minority. They have been equipped with the skills and training to pursue new career pathways and more economic opportunities in their community. The design, development and construction phase of the resort generated substantial economic impact through strong levels of engagement with diverse individuals and businesses. During construction, MGM National Harbor hired more than 6,000 men and women and awarded construction contracts to 167 Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and nearly 80 County-based businesses, spending $323.5 million and $214.3 million, respectively.* Many local and minority-owned companies grew revenue and workforce as a result of their participation in the project, further stimulating the local economy.     Just days ago, MGM National Harbor completed its mandatory Control Demonstration Gaming Days to prepare for the resort’s monumental debut. Invited guests enjoyed the beautiful new casino and its world-class adjacent food and beverage venues, including the high energy TAP Sports Bar and sophisticated lounges FELT Bar & Lounge and Blossom Cocktail Lounge. Proceeds from the gaming activity in the total amount of $150,752 were donated to four Maryland-based charities: Alice Ferguson Foundation, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Department, The Foundation School of Prince George’s County, and the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation.    MGM National Harbor has exceeded its commitment to contribute $1 million to Prince George’s County organizations. Nearly half of the total charitable contributions were allocated to organizations that provide education, training and workforce development, such as Prince George’s Community College, Bowie State University and University of Maryland College Park. The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region – Prince George’s County received $250,000 to continue its mission of strengthening the region through effective giving to other non-profit organizations. MGM National Harbor surpassed its philanthropy goal by three percent.    In 2014 MGM National Harbor and Prince George’s County entered into a Community Benefits Agreement. Since that time, MGM National Harbor has reported regularly on its progress toward goals for economic inclusion and workforce employment. The reports are released quarterly with data and analysis verified by a third-party compliance monitor and the company’s internal audit department. The company has consistently met and exceeded each of its goals, keeping the corporate values of diversity and inclusion as cornerstones of its mission.     *Note: The data on certified MBE and County-based business participation is from a preliminary report through November 30, 2016 and unaudited. MGM will provide the verified and audited fourth quarter 2016 Community Benefits Agreement Report, with data through December 31, 2016, to Prince George’s County in January 2017.   For high-resolution images and additional information, please visit newsroom.mgmnationalharbor.com.   # # #   About MGM National Harbor  The newest addition to the MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) portfolio, MGM National Harbor's unrivaled setting offers stunning panoramic views of the eastern shore of the Potomac River in Maryland. The $1.4 billion resort, scheduled to open December 8, 2016, sits a short distance from Washington, D.C. to the north and historic sites, including George Washington's Mount Vernon estate across the river in Virginia. The 24-story, 308-room resort will feature premier amenities and experiences for locals as well as visitors from around the world including a dynamic casino with over 125,000 square feet of space that includes slots, table games and poker; a world-class spa and salon; an entertainment theater with flexible seating for up to 3,000; high-end branded retail; 50,000 square feet of meeting space; and restaurants from renowned local, national and international chefs. MGM National Harbor has received LEED® Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. For more information and reservations, visit mgmnationalharbor.com.   About MGM Resorts International MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company is in the process of developing MGM National Harbor in Maryland and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts. MGM Resorts controls, and holds a 76 percent economic interest in the operating partnership of MGM Growth Properties LLC (NYSE: MGP), a premier triple-net lease real estate investment trust engaged in the acquisition, ownership and leasing of large-scale destination entertainment and leisure resorts. The Company also owns 56 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited (HK: 2282), which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA Resort & Casino. MGM Resorts is named among FORTUNE® Magazine's 2016 list of World's Most Admired Companies®. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.   MEDIA CONTACT: Suzette Meade / Dasha Ross Smith  MGM National Harbor  (301) 971-6111 mediarelations@mgmnationalharbor.com