Veteran-owned company in Aurora awarded contract for new Hollywood Casino

Work on the new $360-million Hollywood Casino Aurora resort is underway, and PENN Entertainment has hired an Aurora-based, veteran-owned company as a subcontractor on the project.

Viking Brothers, Inc., which specializes in construction transportation, was contracted to remove the demolition debris from the properties torn down to make way for the new casino.

“As a lifelong Auroran with 35 years of experience in the business, it was an honor to work on this project,” said owner Craig Melby, a Marine veteran.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin and representatives of PENN Entertainment/Hollywood Casino recently presented Melby with a Mayor’s Award of Excellence for his professional services.

“The Hollywood Casino project is the largest economic development initiative our city has seen in generations,” Irvin said. “It is important to my administration that Aurora businesses are a part of the process. I applaud PENN Entertainment for selecting Viking Brothers, Inc., and I applaud Craig Melby and his team for a job well done. This is just the beginning.”

The $360 million project is being developed next to Chicago Premium Outlets off Interstate 88. The project will draw 700 construction jobs and 700 permanent jobs.