The Live! Gaming & Entertainment District will be co-developed, owned and managed by Petersburg Community Development Investors, LLC, a partnership between affiliates of The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise, LLC. Cordish is the premier developer of the Live! brand, highly regarded as one of the nation’s premier entertainment brands. Welcoming more than 55 million guests annually, Live! destinations are among the highest profile gaming, hotel, dining, entertainment and sport-anchored destinations in the country. In gaming, The Cordish Companies has developed some of the world’s most successful casino hotel resorts including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL; the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, FL; Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland; Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia; and Live! Casino Pittsburgh.
Bruce Smith Enterprise was founded by Bruce Smith, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and Virginia native, in 2004. Since its inception, Bruce Smith Enterprise partnered with Armada Hoffler in the development of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, The Swedish Embassy, Harbourside Office Building in Washington, D.C., and Blocks 7 and 10 in The Town Center of Virginia Beach, VA. Bruce Smith Enterprise’ portfolio also includes the Hilton Garden Inn and Smith’s Landing apartment community in Blacksburg, VA – a project built to service the needs of students, alumni, and their families at Smith’s Virginia Tech alma mater – as well as the Hyatt House Hotel and 27 Atlantic Apartments in Virginia Beach. The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise have been working together since 2008.
The Live! Gaming & Entertainment District will generate over a 10-year period more than $2.8 billion in economic benefits, $240 million in incremental revenue to Petersburg, and create more than 7,500 jobs. Located at the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95, the Live! Entertainment District will offer easy access on and off the east coast’s major north-south interstate.
Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will set a new standard for gaming, hotels and entertainment in the Commonwealth, and serve as a new world-class attraction for Petersburg and the greater Central Virginia region. In its first 10 years, Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will generate an estimated:
- $2.8 billion in economic stimulus to Petersburg
- $504 million in tax revenues including $240 million to the City
- $802 million in economic benefit during construction
- $201 million in annual economic impact each year after opening
- Over 7,500 new construction and permanent jobs
- Average compensation of $70,000 with benefits
Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will set a new standard for development in the Commonwealth, generating significant economic impact for the City of Petersburg and the surrounding region. In its first 10 years, Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will generate:
- $2.8 billion in economic stimulus to the Region
- $504 million in tax revenues including $240 million to the City
- $802 million in economic benefit during construction
- $201 million in annual economic impact each year after opening
- Over 7,500 new construction and permanent jobs
- Average compensation of $70,000 with benefits
Live! & Bruce Smith Enterprise are some of the major charitable contributors and participants in the communities in which they operate and proud of the significant impact thier companies have had on local philanthropic efforts around the country. Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will help fund significant projects in Petersburg such as parks and recreation facilities, health and wellness clinics, local hospitals and emergency responders, education, workforce development and affordable housing. Live! will work closely with area higher education institutions and area community colleges to provide mentor and internship programs and train local residents for job opportunities at Live! and in the general community.
Live!’s robust plan for community engagement emphasizes hiring local, doing business with local vendors, workforce development, internships, sponsorship and philanthropic opportunities and volunteerism. Live! will support scholarships through Virginia Union University and the region’s local universities and community colleges to support disadvantaged youth.
Absolutely! Live! will create more than 7,500 direct and indirect jobs. During the construction phase, Live! Casino & Hotel will create approximately 7,500 new construction jobs for local and regional residents. Live! is an important economic engine for the communities in which our properties are located, and hiring local is a high priority. We anticipate creating 1,500 full-time jobs after construction is completed.
Live! will partner with local educational institutions to provide training programs for jobs within the complex, including gaming and hospitality positions. The Live! team is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. Local residents will have ample opportunities to learn about jobs at Live! through programs such as:
- Pre-opening community-based job fairs
- Local job placement workshops
- Online job postings, job matching and customized recruitment services
- Contractor mentoring and apprenticeships
- Community-based information sessions on job opportunities and training programs
- Community College and University partnerships for job placement
Career opportunities will be available in every field, including hotel operations, finance, marketing, human resources, information technologies, food and beverage, facilities, security and surveillance, and gaming operations. Hiring preference will be given to local residents first, then surrounding communities. Check this site often for information about employment opportunities and upcoming job fairs!
Live! will purchase tens of millions of dollars in goods and services in the Region. We are committed to supporting local and regional businesses, particularly local, MBE/WBE and veteran-owned businesses, by providing access to contract opportunities. We have an exemplary track record of supporting local and regional businesses by providing access to contract opportunities and we pledge to the same in Petersburg. Live! is committed to a comprehensive diversity and inclusion plan to maximize minority and local participation in ownership, construction, permanent employment and ongoing operational purchasing relationships.
Our operational procurement team will develop and maintain an internal database of diverse contractors and suppliers that will be used for future bid opportunities. We look forward to creating new operations vendor contacts, developing long-term relationships, and having a spin-off effect from our project onto other local and small businesses.
Bruce Smith, co-developer of Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, is leading the largest minority investment in any Virginia casino by participating in this opportunity. He has organized a group of Virginia minority entrepreneurs who will invest on equal terms with The Cordish Companies as owners of the property. Their local ties mean they will be involved in building excitement in the project and ensuring local minority, women and veteran-owned businesses. It is critical to us and core to our company culture to not only meet expectations, but embrace the spirit of inclusion in our commitment and outreach to the community. Live! is committed to a comprehensive diversity and inclusion plan to maximize minority and local participation in ownership, construction, permanent employment and ongoing operational purchasing.
Live! is committed to utilizing and supporting local, regional, minority, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses by providing them access to contract opportunities. Our procurement team will maintain an internal database of diverse contractors and suppliers that will be used for future bid opportunities. If you would like to be considered for either a contractor or vendor, please send us your information at info@valive.casino.
Career opportunities will be available in every field, including hotel operations, finance, marketing, human resources, information technologies, food and beverage, facilities, security and surveillance and gaming operations. Hiring preference will be given to local residents first, then surrounding communities. Check our careers page often for information about employment opportunities and upcoming job fairs!