FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 4, 2012 Contact: Phil Pantano Pantano & Associates, L.L.C. 716-601-4128 SENECA GAMING CORPORATION ANTES UP FOR CULINARY INSTITUTE Company presents NCCC leadership with check for $375,000 NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – Leaders from the Seneca Nation of Indians, Seneca Gaming Corporation and Niagara County Community College, as well as New York State Senator George Maziarz, gathered this morning near the future home of the College’s Niagara Falls Culinary Institute to talk about one of the project’s key ingredients - money. The Seneca officials presented the college with a check for $375,000 for the Culinary Institute, which is being developed in the former Rainbow Mall near the entrance to the Niagara Falls State Park. It was the first payment of the $1.275 million Seneca Gaming Corporation has pledged to the project over the next five years. “Last year, I was happy to stand with College president Jim Klyczek and give the support of the Seneca Nation and Seneca Gaming Corporation to this important project in downtown Niagara Falls,” said Robert Odawi Porter, President of the Seneca Nation of Indians. “As we honor our commitment today, I am thrilled to see the progress that has taken place and share the College’s excitement about what the Culinary Institute will mean for people visiting Niagara Falls, including our casino patrons.” “I want to sincerely thank the Seneca Nation and Seneca President Robert Odawi Porter for their tremendous support of the Culinary Institute. This partnership is just another example of the great things that can happen in Niagara Falls and Western New York when we all work together,” said Senator Maziarz, who has been a strong supporter of the college’s efforts to develop the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute. -more-
SGC/NCCC 2-2-2-2 In exchange for its investment, Seneca Gaming Corporation will receive certain marketing opportunities, including co-sponsorship of special events, signage and inclusion in the tourism exhibit space, at the culinary institute. “As construction crews work fervently toward a September opening, we remain grateful for the incredible support we have received for this project,” said James Klyczek, President, Niagara County Community College. “The financial commitment the Seneca Nation has made will go a long way toward helping our students achieve their dream of training and working in a world class, state of the art facility.” As part of the relationship, students enrolled in the NCCC Culinary Arts program will have the opportunity to secure an internship with the culinary staff at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, which features six full-service restaurants and other food outlets, as well as an extensive roster of banquet events which it hosts each year. The agreement has already given students from the school the opportunity to work alongside the casino’s professionally-trained chefs and culinary professionals. Seneca Gaming has also established an endowed scholarship at the college for enrolled members of the Seneca Nation who wish to pursue a career in the culinary arts. “Partnering with the culinary institute helps our efforts on a number of important initiatives,” Robert Mele, Chairman of the Seneca Gaming Corporation Board of Directors, said. “It helps our efforts to attract visitors to Niagara Falls and provide them with a remarkable experience beyond the doors of our Four Diamond resort. As one of the region’s largest employers, it helps us identify talented individuals who can potentially join our team. It helps us fulfill the Seneca Nation’s goal of providing Nation members educational and career opportunities so they can realize their full potential. Finally, it furthers our commitment to partnering with other organizations that have a shared interest in helping Western New York succeed and strengthening the areas that we call home.” “NCCC remains committed to economic development in the region. We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with the Seneca Nation and the Seneca Gaming Corporation through our investment in the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute,” said Bonnie Gifford, Chair, NCCC Board of Trustees. “This project and the Seneca investment is a win-win for everyone.” -more-
SGC/NCCC 3-3-3-3 The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, which is slated to open in September 2012, is a state of the art 90,000-square-foot educational facility that will be home to the students in NCCC’s Hospitality and Tourism programs. It will feature a student run fine dining restaurant, a European Style Pastry CafÊ, a New York Style Deli, an ice sculpting lab and a wine boutique. Since opening Seneca Niagara Casino in 2002, Seneca Gaming Corporation has grown to employ more than 3,700 people. Seneca Gaming Corporation operates world-class facilities offering more than 6,500 slot machines, 140 table games, 800 hotel rooms, a championship golf course and other related amenities. For more information, visit www.senecacasinos.com. - 30 -