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$11 Million in Gaming Funds to Help Washington County Communities, DCED Says

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Forty-three projects in Washington County will receive a share of $11.1 million in available gaming fund revenues generated by the Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Department of Community and Economic Development acting Secretary George Cornelius announced today.

"This is a great example of how gaming fund revenue can boost community development in Pennsylvania," Cornelius said. "These new investments in Washington County communities will provide important infrastructure improvements, including a sanitary sewerage system upgrade and several bridge replacements, which will revitalize the community and improve public safety."

The investments come from the "local share assessment account," which was established by the Pennsylvania Horse Race and Gaming Development Act and requires DCED to distribute the money. Funds in the account are generated by the commonwealth's eight licensed gaming facilities, including Meadows Racetrack and Casino in North Strabane Township.

Projects are eligible for single- or multi-year commitments and must be geared toward economic development or public safety.

"These funds are part of more than $200 million Pennsylvania has invested in Washington County since Governor Rendell took office," Cornelius said.

For more information on the local share assessment account, please visit www.newpa.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Projects receiving grants from the Washington County Gaming Fund follow:

Economic Development

$600,000 to the Keystone Elks Demolition Project for the demolition and construction costs for a multi-use community center in Highland Ridge.
$22,500 to Marianna Industrial Park Planning (Old Mine #58 Site) toward the costs of a feasibility study and master site plan.
$298,740 to the Smith Township Industrial Park for the installation of an entrance road and bridge to the 28-acre property.

Job Training

$38,000 to the Adult Basic Literacy/Workforce Development Program for administration costs associated with the countywide program.
$160,000 for the Commercial Drivers License Truck Driver Training Program, toward the construction costs of a 175' X 420' lighted driving facility.
$310,000 to the Work Certified Academy for operating costs to further the Work Certified curriculum.

Community Improvement

$31,350 toward related engineer and architect costs for the Amwell Township Municipal Building renovation.
$14,500 toward the construction costs for the Amwell Township Park restrooms.
$380,500 to Bebout Road/Montour Trail Bridge replacement for the removal of an existing concrete bridge.
$80,540 to the Brownson House Recreation Project for interior renovations to the gym.
$218,567 to the Canonsburg Roberts House Renovation, toward the acquisition and renovation of the first phase of the project.
$65,000 to Canonsburg Town Park Improvements Phase II for the construction of a skateboard park and deck hockey rink
$300,000 to the Charleroi Community Center and Market House Phase II for installation of handicapped accessible restrooms and exterior facade improvements.
$500,000 to Chartiers Township Community Center to complete Phase II, which includes the preliminary construction of a new community center.
$168,659 to the Claysville (CAPRI) Administration Building Project toward the renovation costs of the former McGuffey Administration Building.
$79,000 for the East Bethlehem Township Municipal Building renovations.
$90,502 to Finleyville Borough Building Revitalization to renovate the existing Borough building.
$250,000 toward the construction of the Greater Canonsburg Public Library Building project.
$125,000 toward the Hickory Main Street Revitalization for streetscape improvements on State Route 50 (Main Street) between McCarrell Road and Washington Avenue.
$21,338 to the Historic Morris Township Schoolhouse renovation costs for the Historic Archer One Room Schoolhouse.
$200,000 for the Hopewell Township Municipal Building renovations.
$30,000 to the McDonald Building Facade Improvements program.
$130,000 to the McDonald Commercial District Expansion to develop a new parking lot in downtown McDonald.
$25,000 for a McGuffey Park Playground Equipment purchase in Donegal Township.
$320,000 to Meadowcroft Phase II Completion for the development of the Meadowcroft Rockshelter Archaeological Site Visitors Center.
$407,000 to the Monongahela Aquatorium Restoration and Expansion project.
$419,531 to the Montour Trail Phase 19, Georgetown and Morganza Bridges for construction of two bridges to replace present at-grade crossings.
$24,500 to complete the design of a new municipal facility for the Morris Township Municipal Building.
$92,185 to the Mt. Pleasant Township Parks and Recreation Expansion Project for the construction of a paved, 70 space parking lot.
$250,000 toward the West Alexander Merger and Community Center Renovation.

Public Interest

$296,000 to the Bentleyville Borough Storm Sewer Project for the replacement of existing sewers that are part of the Washington Street Storm Water Project.
$200,000 for Canonsburg Hospital Patient Gateway Expansion for Phase 1 of hospital lobby renovations.
$125,000 for the Canton 2010 Home Rehabilitation Program to repair 11 houses for low and moderate income homeowners in Canton Township.
$359,100 towards construction costs for a sanitary sewerage project for the Canton/Chartiers Sewer System for the Route 18 Corridor.
$1.7 million to the Center-West Joint Sewer Authority Sanitary Collection System and Treatment Facility Phase I for use toward the construction of a sanitary collection system and treatment facility to serve portions of West Brownsville and Centerville Boroughs.
$500,000 for the Charleroi Storm Water Separation Project.
$250,000 for the Countywide Home Rehabilitation Program to repair 22 houses for low and moderate income homeowners.
$22,500 for a Cross Creek Valley Regional Street Sweeper purchase.
$231,430 for the Fallowfield Waterline Extension along Township Road #848.
$15,000 to the Long Branch Borough Road Project to conduct weight limit studies on up to five borough roads.
$61,250 to the Market at Wiley Station Planning to obtain a permanent location.
$500,000 to the McDonald Borough Bridge Repairs for the replacement of the North Arabella Street Bridge and repairs to the School Street Bridge.
$1.8 million to Vestaburg-New Hill Joint Authority Sanitary Sewerage System to install 35,887 linear feet of pipe, 141 manholes, and an emergency generator.