POUGHKEEPSIE — Well over 100 supporters of the Sullivan County casino projects went to The Grandview Hotel in Poughkeepsie on Tuesday to present their case before the state's Gaming Location Facility Board.

Attending the 12-hour public hearing were many government and business leaders from across the county.

“We did everything we could possibly do,” Walter Garigliano, IDA General Counsel, said. “We made a compelling case for two at the Concord.”

Those two - Montreign and Mohegan Sun - would translate into $1.2 billion in direct casino and hotel investment as well as 4,300 gaming positions, 643 hotel rooms and 20 restaurants.

Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Scott Samuelson was also there and said, “I think it went very well, particularly with the new, out-of-the-box information we presented to them.

“The thrust of our message was two in Sullivan County,” Samuelson said. “We also told them that placing two in Sullivan County will afford them the opportunity to honor the intent of the legislation [to revitalize depressed economies].”

Samuelson also emphasized the community outreach each project has done in the community, from Bethel Woods to Monticello Motor Club, and how significant this will be to Sullivan County's economy.

Garigliano added, “Granting licenses to both Sullivan County projects would create a significant epicenter of development activity.”

Using the alliterative catchphrase “Right, Ready, Recognized and Renowned” speaker after speaker emphasized the speed to market for the Sullivan County projects as well as the importance of bringing the Catskills back to their hospitality glory.

Nicknamed “MO2” the call for two casinos in Sullivan County certainly caught the Facility Board's attention.

“We definitely opened their eyes yesterday,” Garigliano said. “They didn't ask any questions all morning and then asked four minutes of questions [after our report]

“It obviously got them thinking,” he said.

Also in the crowd were hundreds of supporters of the seven other projects in Orange and Ulster counties.

Up to two licenses will be awarded in the Catskill Region, one in the Capital Region and one in the Southern Tier.

A decision is expected by the end of next month or early November.

Sullivan County Visitors Association President and CEO Roberta Byron Lockwood said, “The Montreign and Mohegan Sun proposals at the once grand Concord site will deliver a full service, four-season gaming mega complex that will inspire the necessary transformational development that the Sullivan Catskills requires. No other proposal fulfills the spirit and intent of the legislation offering the necessary appeal to visitors from across the country and world.

“Our Sullivan County Catskills team outlined a compelling and cohesive presentation demonstrating the need for two licenses to be awarded to our Sullivan Catskills applicants,” she said.

Sullivan County Legislator and IDA Chairman Ira Steingart said, “Sullivan County did itself proud. I feel our presentation was extraordinary.

Steingart said the two projects planned for the county “are going to part of the solution.”

Paul Carlucci, vice president of the Villa Roma and co-chair of the Visitors Association, said, “First and foremost, the Sullivan County Catskills provides the ideal setting for a destination casino resort.

“Say ‘Catskills' to someone and you elicit responses associated with breathtaking scenery, outdoor adventure, arts, culture, tourism and hospitality. That comes from over 100 years of branding and marketing. No other location in this region is able to compete with that,” he added.

“The synergy of 2 casinos side by side will maximize tax revenues for the state and the county, create an abundance of excellent employment opportunities for Sullivan County residents and be the economic spark to reenergize the entire county,” Carlucci said.