As the Oneida Nation looks to expand its offerings and attract NY sports betting players at its Turning Stone Resort Casino, about 35 miles east of Syracuse, they’re having trouble attracting workers, like many businesses. The population of the town is only a few thousand and there’s not a lot of available housing for potential casino workers looking to relocate.
The Oneida therefore have gotten creative and will soon be opening the Villages of Stoney Creek, an employees-only apartment complex offering affordable, high-quality housing for selected new hires. Apartments will be available for new employees in full-time, hourly, non-management positions and are currently targeted for individuals who are looking to relocate. Those eligible will be cooks, casino dealers, hotel operations, custodial roles and more.
There will be 50 apartments at the Villages at Stoney Creek and folks will be able to move in starting July 1, with more apartments ready by September.
Very Reasonably Priced for New York
Rental rates will be below comparable area housing options with one-bedroom apartments at $550 per month, two-bedroom apartments at $650 per month and three-bedroom apartments at $750 per month.
You couldn’t get a three-bedroom apartment for that price in most places if it was the fifth floor of a walk-up and the first four floors were crack dens. And this apartment comes with a job.
What’s Inside the Apartments
Amenities include spacious floor plans, in-unit laundry (no carrying your clothes down to a dingy basement with a flickering light bulb) and reserved parking spaces (nice, although there probably isn’t much of a parking problem in Oneida County). Also, it’s pretty and scenic in that part of the state. City dwellers not only drive up there to gamble, but to watch the leaves change color. And there are great apples.
Stoney Creek also will include green space and picnic tables. Of course, there will be free shuttle service to and from Turning Stone for all shifts.
“The Oneida people have always emphasized the importance of hospitality and warmly welcoming all to our homelands,” said Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation representative and Oneida Nation Enterprises CEO, in a statement. “This new investment in our workforce presents a wonderful opportunity for us to create additional jobs, bring new people to our region, and provide affordable housing for the individuals who support the success of our enterprises.”
Oneida Nation Enterprises is the largest employer in Oneida and Madison Counties and one of the largest employers in the region.
It is entering its 30th year of operations with Turning Stone Resort Casino.
Meanwhile, there are no real money online casinos in New York.
Only a handful of states have online casinos, or online poker.
There is a hope to get iGaming in future New York budgets. At the moment, much work is being done behind the scenes to start taking bids for as many as three casinos near New York City.
