Lawmakers announce nearly $3 million in gaming revenue supporting local projects

Three state lawmakers said projects in Lebanon County have been awarded nearly $3 million in Local Share Account funds from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).

Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48), Rep. Russ Diamond (R-102) and Rep. John Schlegel (R-101) announced the allocation in a press release on Thursday, Dec. 18.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Act allocates Local LSA funds to a casino’s host county to help offset its impact, the release explained. Diamond’s 2017 legislative effort to secure a portion of the local share assessments of Hollywood Casino proceeds for Lebanon County was needed due to the peculiarities of where that facility is located.

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The following projects received funding through this program:

• Cleona Borough — $29,895 to renovate the Cleona Park pavilion kitchen.
• Cornwall Borough — $25,666 to purchase extrication equipment for the Cornwall Borough Community Fire Company.
• Heidelberg Township — $32,553 to replace self-contained breathing apparatus equipment for Schaefferstown Volunteer Fire Company.
• Jackson Township — $26,040 to purchase new fire hoses and couplings for Keystone Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.
• Lebanon County Regional Police — $20,636 to purchase two police vehicles to be used in North Lebanon, North Cornwall and West Lebanon townships.
• North Cornwall Township — $34,870 to renovate the apparatus bay at Neversink Fire Company of Pleasant Hill.
• South Lebanon Township — $25,340 to acquire tools for rent for the Central Pennsylvania Tool Library and Makerspace.
• Swatara Township — $25,000 to pave the parking lot at the Bunker Hill Fire Company.

“Returning these gaming revenue dollars to Lebanon County will offset expenses that might have otherwise fallen on residents,” Diamond said in the release. “I’m thankful to have helped secure this essential funding.”

Also, the following projects were funded through the Statewide LSA Program, which uses proceeds from online gaming revenue to support projects in public interest across the commonwealth:

• Annville Township — $180,000 to install a new access ramp at their municipal building.
• Cleona Borough — $50,651 to purchase a new police vehicle for the Cleona Borough Police Department.
• Jackson Township — $62,924 to purchase new CPR equipment for the Myerstown First Aid Unit.
• Lebanon city — $60,000 to renovate Hilltop Playground.
• Lebanon city — $500,000 to modernize Lebanon Fire Department Station 1.
• Lebanon City Authority — $77,000 to purchase a boom lift for use in North Cornwall Township.
• Lebanon County Regional Police — $79,464 to purchase two police vehicles to be used in North Lebanon, North Cornwall and West Lebanon townships.
• Lebanon County Transit Authority — $116,000 to expand and renovate their facility.
• Millcreek Township — $80,347 to purchase a UTV and trailer for the Newmanstown Volunteer Fire Company.
• North Annville Township — $350,000 to purchase a pumper tanker fire truck for Union Water Works Fire Company.
• North Cornwall Township — $116,000 to construct a new exposition hall to accommodate larger events like the Lebanon Area Fair.
• North Lebanon Township — $160,000 to purchase a new backhoe for the township’s public works department.
• Palmyra Borough — $540,000 to purchase a Kenworth Vactor Jet Vac Truck to prevent sinkholes.
• South Lebanon Township — $25,000 to replace the roofs of multiple pavilions in South Hills Park.
• Swatara Township — $81,789 to replace the quick response service vehicle of the Bunker Hill Fire Company.
• West Lebanon Township — $116,000 to rehabilitate stormwater pipes.

“I’m happy to have helped secure this funding, which will pay for most if not all these projects’ costs. We all depend on clean water, reliable sewer systems and strong public safety departments to keep our communities safe and healthy,” Gebhard said in the release.

“Through these grants, the cost to make these upgrades will not be borne by the taxpayers,” Schlegel also said in the statement. “It is always great to see so many essential projects receive grants in the 101st Legislative District.”

The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to administer the commonwealth’s economic stimulus packages. The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004 provides for the distribution of gaming revenue through the CFA.

Gebhard, Diamond and Schlegel, in a joint statement, said, “We are extremely grateful to have such a good working relationship to coordinate our efforts and accomplish the most possible for the citizens of Lebanon County.”