MGM Resorts International has unveiled plans to develop a 150-acre site in Brimfield, Massachusetts, into a new “world-class” casino resort.

Chairman and CEO Jim Murren announced that the company had signed a contract with Rolling Hills Estates Realty Trust to purchase the land, which is just north of the Massachusetts Turnpike and 65 miles west of the city of Boston.

"When we decided to get actively involved in Massachusetts, we scoured the state for a location that would provide the rural setting that New Englanders want," said Murren. "The remote nature of this property, along with its proximity to the Mass Pike, is exactly what we had in mind."

Murren estimated the resort development would create around 3,000 permanent direct jobs as well as several thousand indirect jobs, along with several thousand construction-related jobs.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed the State Legislature's Conference Committee report on expanded gaming in Massachusetts on Tuesday, November 22. The passage of the bill, which automatically became law with the governor's signature, kicked off the most highly anticipated public bidding process in the Commonwealth's history.

Interested developers will compete for three licences, one in the Greater Boston area, another in south-eastern Massachusetts and a third in western Massachusetts. The Governor, Attorney General and Treasurer will appoint a five-person Gaming Commission that will oversee the lengthy process and award the licences.