DCED Awards First Community Improvement Grants From Gaming Revenues in Luzerne County

DCED Awards First Community Improvement Grants From Gaming Revenues in Luzerne
County

$11.56 Million Awarded through Local Share Assessment Account for Economic
Development, Health & Safety Projects

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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 www.NewPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

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 Laflin 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.

CONTACT: Kevin Ortiz
(717) 783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

Kevin Ortiz of Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development,
+1-717-783-1132