Pocono News Section

State Awards Gaming Money

State Awards Gaming Money - Friday, March 14, 2008 at 12:56PM EST

Friday, Mar 14, 2008 @12:56pm EST
HARRISBURG – The Department of Community and Economic Development has awarded $11,556,096 in grants to thirteen Luzerne County municipalities, the first funds available through gaming revenues from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Plains Township.

The Pennsylvania Horse Race and Gaming Development Act (Act 71) established the Local Share Assessment Account and required DCED to distribute revenues from this licensed gaming facility to support community and economic projects and mitigate the impact of gaming and related activities to the region.

"The funding approved today reflects the department’s belief that projects should be rigorously evaluated based on their adherence to the Keystone Principles for Investment,” DCED Secretary Dennis Yablonsky said. “These principles emphasize regional approaches to revitalization, leveraging of private and other public funds, and rewarding projects that articulate efforts for lasting impact.”

The department weighed several key factors in reviewing the applications including demonstrated need; local and community support for the project and; project readiness.

The Gaming Act also requires that priority consideration be given to Plains Township (the host municipality) and contiguous municipalities including Bear Creek Township, Forty Fort Borough, Jenkins Township, Kingston Borough, Laflin Borough, Laurel Run Borough, Wilkes-Barre City, Wilkes-Barre Township and Wyoming Borough.

The department received 72 requests seeking over $83 million from the Local Share Assessment Account. An initial review of these applications indicated that many of the projects could not demonstrate the statutorily-mandated requirement to use funds for economic development and health and safety needs related to gaming activities. Thirty-two projects were determined to be eligible after the initial evaluation. After soliciting additional input and public comment from interested parties at a public meeting on February 4th at the Luzerne County Community College, DCED approved funding for 17 projects in 13 municipalities.

“This announcement marks a historical moment for Luzerne County and the department. In order to help applicants and communities in future years acclimate to this new program, I have instructed DCED staff to provide increased technical assistance to help municipalities to explore ways to better meet the statutory requirements and guidelines,” Yablonsky said. “DCED will provide a workshop to help municipalities further understand the opportunities and parameters of the Local Share Assessment Account and help prepare future applications.

“Local Share Assessment funds will be available as long as the Mohegan Sun facility continues to operate. DCED will work with all the municipalities in Luzerne County to effectively deploy these funds for projects that will sustain long-term benefits, an improved quality of life; economic growth; and public health and safety for the citizens of Luzerne County,” he added.

For more information on the Local Share Assessment Account and other ways the Department of Community and Economic Development helps communities reach their full potential, visit or call 1-866-466-3972.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Projects approved by DCED for funding:

$2,400,000 to Jenkins Township, a contiguous community, for an Interstate 81 exit ramp and Route 315 improvements.

$1,006,700 to Plains Township, the host municipality, for East Mountain Drive road improvements.

A second grant totaling $1,000,000 to Plains Township for landfill environmental remediation.

$1,000,000 to the City of Wilkes-Barre, a contiguous municipality, for city-wide surveillance cameras.

A second grant totaling $500,000 to the City of Wilkes-Barre for a county-wide law enforcement records management system.

$155,000 to Lafflin Borough, a contiguous municipality, for public safety vehicles/equipment.

$425,000 to Forty Fort Borough, a contiguous municipality, for Welles Street streetscape improvements.

A second grant totaling $75,000 to Forty Fort Borough for the restoration of the Forty Fort Meeting House, a historic asset.

$1,800,000 to Kingston Borough, a contiguous municipality, to rebuild the Hoyt Library, a multi-municipal asset.

$250,000 to Wilkes-Barre Township, a contiguous municipality, to expand the Police Department’s headquarters.

$500,000 to the City of Pittston, a non-contiguous municipality, for downtown revitalization.

A second grant totaling $162,500 to the City of Pittston, for streetscape work in its business district.

$111,850 to Luzerne Borough, a non-contiguous municipality, for Marion Street road improvements.

$792,546 to Duryea Borough, a non-contiguous municipality, for acid mine drainage remediation.

$500,000 to Nanticoke, a non-contiguous municipality, for Luzerne County Community College to relocate and grow its new Culinary Institute in downtown Nanticoke.

$250,000 to Edwardsville Borough, a non-contiguous municipality, for the Multi-Municipal/Federal Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area.

$627,500 to Plymouth Borough, a non-contiguous municipality, for downtown Main Street redevelopment.