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MEDIA ADVISORY |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Todd A. Eachus |
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Eachus presents $1.2 million in funding to local municipalities
State funding allocated through local gaming revenues
HAZLETON, March 12 – State Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, presented three local municipalities with close to $1.2 million in gaming funds from the state gaming law's local share assessment account administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
Eachus, who presented shares of the funding to White Haven Borough, Hazle Township, and Freeland Borough on Thursday, said the funding is an example of how the state uses gaming revenues to help local communities.
"The economic development opportunities for Pennsylvania through this industry stretch beyond property tax relief," Eachus said. "They stretch into community programs and projects that will have significant positive growth for local economies. These three projects are prime examples of how we can maximize local shares of gaming revenues."
The municipalities and projects recognized during today's presentation were:
· White Haven Borough received $525,000 to develop a former Lehigh Valley Railroad engine repair shop, known as the Engine House, into a multi-purpose library and heritage visitor center.
· Hazle Township received $254,402 for the Barletta Asphalt Plant Project.
· Freeland Borough received $412,315 for streetscape improvements.
The Pennsylvania Horse Race and Gaming Development Act, or Act 71 of 2004, sets up the local share assessment account and requires DCED to distribute money that is generated by licensed gaming facilities to support community and economic development projects.
In total, 29 projects in Monroe, Carbon, Lackawanna, Pike and Wayne counties are sharing $12.3 million in funding from Mount Airy Resort, and 20 projects in Luzerne County will receive a share of $13.8 million in available funds generated by the Mohegan Sun Casino.
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