Sands formally introduces itself to Long Island businesses

One of the biggest mistakes a large company can do when coming into a community for the first time is start big and stay big.

But when Las Vegas Sands Corp., came to town looking to spend millions on redevelopment, it didn’t go big. It went hyperlocal.

“They started off right,” said Frank Camarano Jr., president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. “They understood. They didn’t have to wait for the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce to say, ‘Hey guys, you have to start at the grassroots level.’ It was the exact opposite — they reached out to us.”

Camarano shared the remarks during last week’s Procurement Academy hosted by the council of chambers as well as Sands’ New York division at Nassau Community College. The academy was designed as a way for businesses to get acquainted with the Sands, and possibly seek out avenues where Sands and the businesses could work together.

The $49 billion luxury casino and resort company announced earlier this year it would bid for the Uniondale land surrounding the Nassau Coliseum. The proposal is for a multi-billion-dollar resort that would include hotels, community centers, a performance venue, convention spaces, restaurants and a casino. And although developers say the gaming space would be less than 10 percent of the overall plan, the casino is exactly what a number of people and organizations have focused on — both positively and negatively.

Still, Sands claims the new luxury resort would provide more than 12,000 construction jobs, and then employ 5,000 people once it opened.

“Long Island, we really, really, really want to be here,” said Norbert Riezler, senior vice president and chief procurement officer for Sands. “We are really excited.”

Riezler shared how the Sands operates within current locations like Singapore and Las Vegas. He provided statistics and graphs showing the breakdown on the Uniondale project, including where the highest percentage of money would be going, its commitment to local and diverse sourcing, and what it takes to procure this project.

The Sands is currently waiting on a gaming license from the state before it can go any further.

Afterward, Sands broke the 300 or so attendees into smaller groups, discussing everything from food and beverage, technology, professional services and design and construction.

“I’m excited about the Las Vegas Sands project,” said Luis Mendez, a Salisbury resident that owns Noches Latinas Internacional, a marketing social media-based radio station. “Hopefully (the Sands) helps us with the brain drain that we’re experiencing with young people moving out of Long Island because there’s nothing for them to do.”

Mendez’s company provides resources in consulting and marketing. He’s already a contractor with the Sands, and said that he’s confident the company will work hard at being involved in the community.

“In the past, people have failed to include the community,” he said. “It’s always been shoved down our throats.”

But Sands’ approach “is more holistic. They want the community involvement.”

For Garden City business owner Patty Castrogiavanni, the idea that she could bring her shop — a cupcake store called Special Sweets — into the facility has her attention.

Castrogiavanni’s shop employs young adults with special needs. Having a bakery as part of the Sands development could be a true boon for her business, while giving her the opportunity to employ even more.

But not everyone is keen about welcoming Sands. A number of people and groups have protested the casino, saying it will increase crime and poverty in and around Uniondale. Nearby Hofstra University is against the development, even filing a lawsuit earlier this month against the Nassau County Planning Commission, claiming it violated state open meetings laws when considering the $4 billion Sands project.

Julie Marchesella, the owner of clothing boutique Queen of Hearts in Merrick, said she participated primarily to see if she could advertise inside the Sands once it opens.

“They have intentions of catering to weddings, and I felt that this would be a perfect opportunity to advertise … and maybe have a kiosk with a mannequin wearing a beautiful gown,” Marchesella said. “Since Queen of Hearts is on Merrick Avenue — just a very short taxi ride or Uber ride — they might see something there that they love and want to come in and try it on.”

Frank Borrelli, owner of Borrelli’s Italian Restaurant in East Meadow, believes this project is the best option presented so far.

“I think it’s a homerun for the community,” he said. “The taxes it’s going to generate for the county will be insane, not only from (the resort), but just branching off and bringing people to the areas. And tourism in general.”

Borrelli has even given some ideas to one of the food project managers.

“Some of the casinos have top chefs from all around the world,” he said. “But how about taking a 35-year-old business down the block, and doing a satellite (location) right there.”