Meadows distributions to towns rise
In a news release Thursday, The Meadows Racetrack & Casino reported that the amount of paid goods and services and tax revenues it provided to local communities in 2012 rose 6 percent over the previous year.
The North Strabane Township gaming and entertainment venue said it disbursed nearly $257 million throughout the state, including gaming taxes.
“As an all-inclusive entertainment destination, we are delighted to see a continuing positive impact on Southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Sean Sullivan, vice president and general manager of The Meadows. “Local businesses and residents are experiencing a direct benefit of this facility.”
After paying nearly $148 million in gaming taxes to the state Department of Revenue, The Meadows, which is also one of the county’s largest employers, expended more than $58 million in Pennsylvania for items such as vendors, supplies, local taxes and charitable donations.
The $58 million in disbursements is a 181 percent increase from $21 million in 2007, when the casino opened.
That $58 million figure does not include $51 million in annual payroll and related costs for the Meadows’ 1,408 employees.
Unlike previous years, Allegheny County received the largest percentage of nontax-related disbursements in 2012, totaling more than $30 million. It is the result of a one-time construction contract related to capital improvements.
Washington County received a total nontax-related disbursement of more than $19 million, about 500 percent above the approximately $3 million figure for 2007.