Hard Rock, Banks Contracting to partner for slots bid
Hard Rock International Inc. and Baltimore-based developer Banks Contracting Co. have formed a partnership to bid for one of five Maryland gambling licenses, the companies said Monday.
Prospective developers have until Feb. 2 to submit bids for one of five locations that will host video lottery machines. The partnership did not disclose which site they are interested in.
Hard Rock has developed casinos in Las Vegas, Florida, Mississippi and in China. The company worked with Baltimore-based Cordish Co. on its two Florida locations.
“Maryland presents an excellent opportunity for the expansion of Hard Rock gaming due to the tremendous density of population in the state and its ranking among states with high levels of personal income,” Hard Rock Chairman James Allen said in a statement. “The new Hard Rock Casino will bring an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in Maryland and the creation of more than 1,000 construction and permanent jobs.”
– Aaron Cahall
FTI acquires Canadian consulting firm
Baltimore-based FTI Consulting, through its communications arm, FD, acquired the Element Agency, a leading Canadian strategic communications consultancy specializing in sustainability, issue advocacy and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Established in 2003, Element serves businesses, governments, universities, nongovernmental organizations and political candidates across North America.
FD Element (as the company will be known) advises a diverse client base that includes global and Canadian brands such AIG, EPCOR, Labatt and MGM MIRAGE.
“This acquisition aligns with our dedication to helping our clients solve mission critical business challenges at a time when the game of business is constantly changing,” Jack Dunn, president and chief executive of FTI Consulting, said in a statement.
– Andrew Cannarsa
