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State OKs slots cash for local projects
Staff writer
The state Department of Community and Economic Development on Friday awarded $8.2 million for 26 projects in Washington County, the county's share of slots revenues from The Meadows Racetrack & Casino in North Strabane Township.
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"Anytime you bring $8 million into an area, it's going to have some positive impact," said state Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg. "You're going to notice some changes, and 10 years from now, after $100 million to $150 million has been added to the revenue stream, small municipalities and big communities are going to notice significant changes."
The $8 million is the county's share of revenue generated by the casino from its June 2007 opening until April 1 of this year. Next year, when an entire year's revenue will be computed, the county's local share is likely to reach $12 million.
"Whether you like gaming or not, how do you fight $12 million every year in what's become a very rapidly growing, busy area?" asked Solobay.
Awards were made based on the projects' adherence to Keystone Principles for Investment, which emphasize regional approaches to revitalization, and the ability to leverage additional private and public funds.
"It's imperative to focus support for projects that will have a long-lasting impact on the region," said DCED Secretary Dennis Yablonsky. "That, along with other key factors - including demonstrated need, local and community support and project readiness - weighed on our decision to fund these projects."
Washington County Economic Development Roundtable had received $88 million in requests for a local share of slots revenue and pared the list following three days of public presentations in January and February. The list was then forwarded to the commissioners for approval.
The commissioners and state Legislature have come under fire for the way the slots revenue was divided, with some local officials complaining their municipalities had been overlooked.
"I think there's a perception the way the money was handled this year was bad, but that's not the case," said state Rep. Jesse White, D-Cecil. "It wasn't done wrong, but we're looking at it being done better. We got so many great applications, but we only had $8 million and more than 70 applications, so our challenge was to paint with as broad a brush as we could, and I think we did."
Solobay had proposed that $75,000 in slots revenue be given to each municipality in Washington County.
He, White and other legislators are working on recommendations for changing the allocation process, and they will present them to the commissioners.
slots revenues : 6/28/2008
citizens need relief now, as agreed, not in 10 years. So Timmy S., what are these changes that will be seen in ten years? The working folks have been shafted once again. Not to say "they" don't have a hand in their own undoing: "they" keep voting the self absorbed bought-out, shallow minded, cowardly fatcats back into office.
