Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development News

Pennsylvania DCED Awards First Grants From Gaming Revenues in Washington County

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Department of Community and Economic Development has awarded $8.2 million for 26 projects in Washington County, the first funds available from gaming revenues from the Meadows Casino in North Strabane 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 development projects throughout Washington County.

"This first-of-its-kind investment will repair infrastructure and help to rebuild our core communities," DCED Secretary Dennis Yablonsky said. "Making our communities more attractive places to live and play while creating new jobs will go a long way toward sustaining the economic vitality of the region."

The department evaluated projects that were submitted by Washington County's review committee. Awards were made based on the proposed project's adherence to the Keystone Principles for Investment, which emphasize regional approaches to revitalization, and the ability to leverage additional private and other public funds.

"It's imperative to focus support for projects that will have a long-lasting impact on the region," Yablonsky said. "That, along with other key factors — including demonstrated need, local and community support and project readiness — weighed on our decision to fund these projects."

Yablonsky said Local Share Assessment funds will be available as long as the Meadows casino continues to operate and, to help future applicants and communities utilize this new program, DCED staff will provide additional technical assistance to permit municipalities to explore ways to better meet the statutory requirements and to effectively deploy these funds to generate economic growth and improve communities.

Washington County is the second county in the commonwealth to receive Local Share funds managed by the department. In March, DCED approved funding for 17 projects in Luzerne County.

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 www.NewPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

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

Economic Development

— $1.2 million to Monongahela Industrial Development Association to construct the Alta Vista Business Park Building. — $800,000 to the Washington County RDA for the Canton 2010 (Jessop Exit) Revitalization, Phase I, an existing highway interchange on Interstate 70. — $100,000 to Deemston Borough to renovate and restore the historic Deemston Borough Building. — $50,000 to the Avella Area Community Association for renovation of the historic Lincoln National Bank building. — $150,000 to the Washington Industrial Development Corporation for implementation of a supplier-driven target marketing initiative. — $1.3 million to the Washington County Authority for Southpointe II infrastructure improvements. — $1.2 million to the Washington County Council on Economic Development for the expansion of the Starpointe Business Park. — $200,000 for expansion of the Washington Hospital.

Job Training

— $349,000 to the Washington/Greene County Job Training Agency for the Washington/Green Job Training Work Certified Academy.

Community Improvement

— $166,000 to the Avella Volunteer Fire Department for improvements to the Avella Regional Arena. — $100,000 to the Burgettstown Area Community Development Corporation for restoration of the Burgettstown Historic Train Station. — $287,500 to Canonsburg Borough for renovation of their regional pool. — $17,175 to the Claysville Area Preservation and Revitalization Initiative to make the Claysville Community Center handicap accessible. — $250,000 to the Mid Mon Valley Cultural Trust for renovations to the historic Coyle Theater. — $379,000 to the Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Museum of Rural Life for a Meadowcroft Rockshelter Visitor Center. — $192,000 to the PONY Baseball and Softball organization for renovation and restoration of the original Lew Hayes PONY Field. — $300,000 to the Washington Community Arts and Cultural Center for building expansion. — $31,965 to the Washington County Transportation Authority for expansion of Washington County Transportation services.

Public Interest

— $40,000 to Chartiers Township for improvements to the Chartiers Creek Sewage Facilities. — $50,000 to Dunlevy Borough for improvements to the Dunlevy Sanitary Sewer. — $275,000 to the Cecil Township Municipal Authority for the Elm Drive and McConnell Road Sewer Line Extension. — A second grant totaling $20,000 to the Cecil Township Municipal Authority for the Lawrence Sewage Facilities Plan. — $200,000 to the Monongahela Valley Hospital for radiology digital imaging services. — $30,000 to West Bethlehem Township, Marianna Borough and Marianna-West Bethlehem Joint Sewer Authority for the West Bethlehem Stream Bank restoration. — $125,000 to West Pike Run Township for replacement of the Whitehall Road Bridge. — $428,881 to the Washington County RDA for (documented) administrative costs.

CONTACT: Kevin Ortiz

(717) 783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

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