Richard Bland College and Live Casino Hotel Virginia Launch Workforce Training Initiative in Petersburg

Richard Bland College, in partnership with Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia launches the RBC Dealer Institute in the Workforce & Career Readiness Center of the College, located in Petersburg. The Institute will train approximately 200 people to play table games, starting with Blackjack. In the future, it is planned to introduce Baccarat and Roulette. Students will learn about customer service, integrity of games, and industry regulations during the 12-week course. The Institute will also emphasize responsible gaming to prepare learners for ethical challenges that they may face in the field.

This initiative is in line with the commitment of Richard Bland College to the workforce development of the Petersburg area as well as the Commonwealth.

RBC president Dr. Debbie L. Sydow spoke of the importance of this Institute. She said, “As Petersburg’s economy continues its evolution, Richard Bland College proudly contributes to workforce development by preparing the next-generation of professionals for highly-paid jobs in one the most dynamic industries of the country.”

Dr. Kimberly Boyd (Vice President and Chief Innovation and Research Officer, RBC) spoke about the immediate impact on communities of RBC and Live! Casino partnership.

Dr. Boyd stated that “launching a program this size requires more than just vision, it also demands strong strategic partnerships.” “Collaborating With Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia enables us to work together and share our workload.

After completing this program, students are eligible to apply for a job at Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, as well as other gaming establishments in the region. This local training initiative will prepare Petersburg residents to take advantage when the casino opens.

Tax incentives and Community Investment

Cordish Companies’ $1.4 Billion investment in Petersburg will bring major benefits to the city, including $240 M in tax revenue. Once Live! The Casino & Hotel Virginia project will generate an estimated $201 million annually in economic impact, and more than 7,500 permanent and construction jobs. The City plans to use the funds to improve public safety, upgrade infrastructure and enhance schools.

Sam Parham, Mayor of Petersburg, said: “This is the biggest tourism and economic growth project in Petersburg’s historical history.” This opportunity could help transform our city.

We are committed to attracting tourists from all over the world and creating better jobs for Petersburg’s residents.

The Temporary Casino

While construction continues on the Live! A temporary casino will open in the next year, providing a fun and exciting entertainment option to both residents and tourists. This temporary facility is expected create 500 new jobs and provide additional opportunities for local vendors. It will also deliver significant economic benefits to the city.

A temporary casino is being built to offer table games and slots machines. This will give the community an opportunity to experience the casino while waiting for the resort’s grand opening.

Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will open in 2027. The destination will include:

1. * Over 450,000 square feet in first-class gaming, dining and hotel space
2. * 75,000 sq. ft. of meeting, convention, and entertainment space. This includes a state-of the-art venue that hosts concerts and special events featuring top talent from Virginia and beyond
3. * A 200-room upscale hotel with 20 suites and a fitness center, plus a resort pool
4. 1,600 slot machines
5. * 65 table games with live action, including a poker room with 22 tables
6. * High Limit Slot and Table Areas
7. * Sportsbook
8. * Top 10 food and entertainment options in the area, including local partners
9. * Parking is Free

These amenities are designed to transform Petersburg into an entertainment destination that will attract tourists and create a world-class destination for residents and tourists.

New Hotels and Business Development

Live! The expansion of Casino & Hotel Virginia in Crater Road will spur significant growth. The new development will include hotels, restaurants and retail outlets to cater to the visitors who will be coming for the casino. The development will create thousands of new jobs in the areas of construction, hospitality and retail, as well as entertainment. This will provide a wide range of employment opportunities for local workers.

The casino complex is expected to occupy 92 acres at the intersection of Wagner Road, Brasfield Parkway and Brasfield Road. Crater Road’s transformation into a busy commercial district is expected to have an impact on the surrounding area, encouraging more investment and providing Petersburg infrastructure to support its tourism and growing population.

Penny Parayo is the Senior Vice President of Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia stressed the importance of fostering regional and local collaboration.

Parayo stated that “our goal is to create strong connections in the community.” This casino is about more than entertainment. It’s about a thriving, sustainable economy that benefits the entire region.

By partnering with City of Petersburg, and Richard Bland College we are working together to ensure that the economic benefits of the project will be felt for many years to come.

Only adults aged 21 or older are eligible to attend the RBC Dealer Institute. Click here to learn more about this Institute.

Email the Petersburg City Council:
Samuel Parham, sparham@petersburg-va.org,
Darrin Hill, dhill@petersburg-va.org,
Marlow Jones, mjones@petersburg-va.org,
Charles Cuthbert, Jr., ccuthbert@petersburg-va.org,
W. Howard Myers, whowardmyers@petersburg-va.org,
Annette Smith-Lee, alee@petersburg-va.org,
Arnold Westbrook, Jr., awestbrook@petersburg-va.org,

Email the Petersburg School Board:
Kenneth Pritchett, kepritchett@petersburg.k12.va.us,
Taccarri Tucker,
Steven Pierce,
Hal Miles,
Eleanor Proctor,
Bernard Lundy,
Adrian Dance Sr.,