Casino Developer Sees Partners in Berkshire Economy

Michael Mathis said the company is currently looking for vendors to develop business relationships if and when the casino is built.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — MGM Resorts officials say the Berkshires will play a big role in the success of a proposed $800 million casino in Springfield.

If the company is awarded the single gaming license for Western Massachusetts, the Berkshires are part of the casino's marketing strategy. Additionally, company leaders say they would spend some $50 million with vendors in the region.

Michael Mathis, vice president of global gaming development at MGM Resorts International, was the keynote speaker at the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Good News Business Salute breakfast at the Crowne Plaza on Wednesday.

MGM is one of two groups seeking the one license. Mathis said the company sees an opportunity to extend a typical casino trip by a few days by cross-marketing the Berkshires. The proximity of the urban downtown and rural areas in the Berkshires create an experience no other casino can offer, Mathis said.

"We view ourselves with the MGM Springfield project as the headquarters, the tourism headquarters, where we hope people will come and explore the rest of this region," Mathis said. "I think there is an opportunity to have people explore this area when they haven't before. They'll come to this facility and we can extend that normal two- to three-day visit into five-day visit. We'll encourage folks to go out and explore the area."

Additionally the company says they'll be spending $50 million a year with Western Massachusetts businesses.

"We would very much like your help in reaching out to vendors and suppliers in this area," Mathis said. "We are desperately looking to make sure we reach out to this community for business relationships."

The company is awaiting approval from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission,  the license is not expected to be awarded until next year, but hopes that once awarded the 2 1/2 year construction will start with an opening in late 2016.

Thomas Leavitt, CEO of Mountain One Financial, saluted four local businesses for the work they've accomplished.

The company already has research estimating that between 150,000 and 200,000 customers would come to the facility six to eight times a year — creating regular clientele.

Those customers are in its database as visiting Las Vegas facilities three or four times each year but who would go to a closer casino.

"This offers a really unique opportunity for us and we're really excited about what we can do in Springfield and what we can do in this area," Mathis said. "We don't have a New England flag."

MGM is a Fortune 500 company owning 19 resorts worldwide — more than half of them are in Las Vegas.

While Mathis was the keynote speaker, the Good News Business Salute also honored Berkshire County Regional Employment Board, New Life Chiropractics, Berkshire Place and Bousquet Resort.

The breakfast was sponsored by Mountain One Financial and Thomas Leavitt spoke about the importance of community banks in reviving down economies. He said the Berkshires are going through a "renaissance" and the bank is ready to play a role in helping to improve the economy.

The breakfast brings the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce members together to network and discuss issues. Also in attendance were state Sen. Benjamin Downing, North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright, Pittsfield Mayor Daniel Bianchi and Dan Johnson, who represents U.S. Rep. Richard Neal.

First Eagle Mill Units in Lee to Open in Springtime

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:02AM / Tuesday, February 03, 2026

Eagle Mills developer Jeffrey Cohen updates the Lee Chamber of Commerce as the project's phases, and the amount of heavy lifting to get it to this point. 

LEE, Mass. — More than 50 affordable units are expected to come online at the Eagle Mill this spring.

This is the first of several planned development phases at the former paper mill that dates back to the early 1800s, totaling more than 200 units. The Lee Chamber of Commerce hosted an information session on the project during its Business Breakfast last Wednesday. 

"We are here because we have a really big project that's happened for a very long time here in Lee, that, for myself, has provided a real sense of hope, and has has really defined this community as one of the few in the Berkshires that's really looking forward, as opposed to just being sort of stuck in the past," Chamber member Erik Williams said. 

The estimated $60 million development broke ground in 2021 after nearly a decade of planning and permitting. Hundreds of workers once filed into the 8-acre complex, producing up to 165 tons of paper a week. The last mill on the property closed in 2008.

Hearthway is accepting applications for 56 affordable apartments called "The Lofts at Eagle Mill" with expected occupancy in May. The housing nonprofit was also approved for 45 additional units of new construction on the site. 

Jeffrey Cohen of Eagle Mill Redevelopment LLC said the project dates back to 2012, when a purchase contract was signed for the West Center Street property. The developers didn't have to close on the property until renovation plans were approved in 2017, and the mill was sold for $700,000. 

It seemed like a great deal for the structure and eight acres on the Housatonic River, Cohen explained, but he wasn't aware of the complex pre-development costs, state, and local approvals it would entail.  Seven individually owned homes adjacent to the property were also acquired and demolished for parking and site access. 

"If I knew today what I knew then, I'm not sure we'd be sitting here," he said, joining the breakfast remotely over Zoom. 

Cohen praised the town's government, explaining that the redesigns and critiques "Could not have been done in a friendlier way, in a more helpful way," and the two Massachusetts governors serving during the project's tenure. The Eagle Mill redevelopment is supported by state and federal grants, as well as low-income housing tax credits.