Recruitment center for new Hempfield casino to open late August

The former Sears wing at Westmoreland Mall once again is coming to life as facilities that cater to the now-under-construction casino at the mall open up shop.

A recruitment center is set to open Aug. 24 in the former Barbara Ann’s Country Furnishings store, which moved upstairs, said Tom Meinert, spokesman for Live! Casino Pittsburgh.

The center will allow job seekers to meet with casino representatives who can answer questions and provide additional information about the more than 500 available positions. Job interviews will be scheduled and held at the center once an application is submitted. The center will also host open houses for interviews.

Applications can be submitted online at workatlive.com. Managerial and supervisory positions are currently available but the website will be updated with future opportunities.

Of the 500 available jobs, more than 100 will be dealers.

A new dealer school hosted by Westmoreland County Community College is opening next door to the recruitment center Aug. 17. Of the 120 enrolled students, between 50 and 70 are expected to be hired by Live! Casino Pittsburgh after they graduate from the school. An additional 50 to 60 dealers with previous experience also will be recruited.

The $150 million casino being built in the former Bon-Ton space is expected to open before Thanksgiving. The 100,000-square-foot facility, owned by The Cordish Companies in Maryland, will house 750 slot machines and 30 table games along with entertainment areas and restaurants.

Local leaders last year said they are betting on an economic boost from the project that could reach $152 million for Westmoreland County.

In 2018, casinos across the state, including those in Pittsburgh, Erie and Washington County, created more than 33,000 jobs and had an economic impact of $6.3 billion, according to the American Gaming Association.