MONTICELLO — A development group is set to purchase land from Resorts World Catskills at the Monticello Raceway site on Route 17B to create workforce housing. 

Assemblywoman Paula Kay announced the project yesterday afternoon, saying the initiative came out of a Workforce Housing Roundtable that she hosted with local officials and business leaders. 

Kay said this will hopefully pave the way for more workforce housing development in Sullivan County.

“This project is going to play a crucial role in the future of economic development in Sullivan County,” Kay said. “Investing in workforce housing is investing in Sullivan County residents and this investment will be vital for young professionals looking to establish their roots here and for the businesses who rely on them.”

Kenneth Kearney of Kearney Realty & Development Group signed the contract of sale with Resorts World Catskills (a subsidiary of Empire Resorts, a member of the Genting Group) that is required for the development of over 100 workforce housing units.

Clarification on whether the housing will be for Resorts World employees only could not be answered by presstime yesterday afternoon. 

Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting America’s East said, “Housing has become the number one issue facing communities across New York State, and it is a challenge we see up close at all three of our Resorts World properties in Catskills, Hudson Valley, and New York City. There has never been a greater need particularly for the people who power our operations and our local economies—for a place to call home.”

Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz applauded the efforts, thanking Kay, the Resorts World team and Kearney. 

“This is a historic investment for Sullivan County,” she said. “The need for this type of housing is present in every part of Sullivan County, and I am proud to be able to tell the business owners and Sullivan County residents that this is getting done.”