Racino's new workers happy with new careers

AUSTINTOWN

Herman Stein said he is fortunate to have the chance to work for Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

He’s humbled to know he is responsible for the facilities at the 190-acre site off state Route 46.

Like Stein, Mike Kolenich also feels fortunate to be one of approximately 30 security officers hired for the racino.

Both are Valley residents who saw the racino as an opportunity to start a new career and as a place that brought hope and a new employment opportunity to the Valley.

The new hires will be ready for the Sept. 17 grand opening of the racino.

“It’s actually a job where I cannot wait to get up and shut my alarm off,” Kolenich said. “It’s nothing but positive.”

Kolenich, 29, of Austintown, got a job in manufacturing right after high school and worked there for eight and a half years. The job came with good pay and decent benefits, and then last year Kolenich heard about the racino.

“It definitely brought a whole new atmosphere,” he said. “It was a good change for my life and my family’s life.”

Read more about the new hires in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.