The Sun Journal story Jan. 15 about the Oxford resort casino clarified from the very beginning that the developers of the project have intended to build it in phases. That cleared up any incidental ambiguity that may have resulted from another story the day before, and the Sun Journal’s clear commitment to accurate reporting is most appreciated.

Black Bear Entertainment is sticking to its original master plan of phased construction, so that the initial phase opens within the next year or so. Then continuous work will proceed until the project reaches full build-out, sometime within the next five years. That was the plan; it is the plan; the plan hasn’t changed, nor does BBE intend to change the plan.

One major reason for advancing this master plan is jobs. Rather than erecting a huge construction fence, shutting off the site and not opening the facility until it is completely finished, a phased approach allows BBE to create as many jobs as soon as possible. In a county where the unemployment rate has jumped a full percentage point in just the last two months, that’s a major priority.

The political campaign is over, and it’s time to move on.

We are already employing Maine people, who are hard at work guiding the project through stringent regulatory and permitting processes.

Progress is steady and deliberate, and will continue.

Mark Robinson, Oxford

Spokesperson for Black Bear Entertainment