DCED Announces $15.5 Million in Gaming Funds Awarded to 17 Luzerne County Projects

News provided by

Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

Sep 15, 2010, 04:31 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Faced with more than $50 million in requests for more than $15 million in available gaming funding, the Commonwealth Financing Authority today approved 17 projects in Luzerne County.

Revenue for the projects, which range from the restoration of a former bank building in Wilkes-Barre that has been vacant for 36 years to streetscape improvements in Forty Fort, was generated by Mohegan Sun Casino in Plains Township.

"Pennsylvania's investment of these critical dollars will dramatically help communities improve the quality of life throughout Luzerne County," said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Austin Burke.

The investments come from the "local share assessment account," which was established by the Pennsylvania Horse Race and Gaming Development Act and requires the CFA to distribute the money. Funds in the account are generated by the commonwealth's licensed gaming facilities, including Mohegan Sun.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is an independent agency of the state and is responsible for administering Pennsylvania's economic stimulus programs.

More information about the local share assessment account and the Commonwealth Financing Authority can be found at www.newpa.com, or by calling 866-466-3972.

Media contact: Mark Shade, 717-783-1132

Editor's Note: A list of the approved projects that will receive a total of $15.5 million follows.

Bear Creek Township and Bear Creek Village, $275,461, for improvements to the Route 115 corridor, a feasibility study to provide local police coverage by the municipalities, and a mini pumper for the fire company, as well as school signage and a wireless surveillance system.

Dallas, $1.3 million, for a downtown revitalization project that will include new trees and street lights.

Duryea, $700,000, to demolish an abandoned building on Jones Street and resurface 24 borough streets.

Forty Fort, $273,650, for the second phase of the Welles Street streetscape project.

Hanover Township, $102,000, for two K-9 police vehicles for the South Valley K-9 Partnership.

Hanover Township, $650,000, to extend sanitary sewer service to Truesdale Terrace and Witinski's Villa.

Hazleton, $4.8 million, to construct two parking decks above the Church Street Intermodal Transit Center.

Jenkins Township, $2.4 million, for highway improvements in Jenkins and Pittston townships.

Kingston, $1.56 million, to buy two parcels of land and renovate the attached, vacant buildings as part of the riverfront development and infrastructure improvement project on Market Street.

Nanticoke, $500,000, for the Luzerne County Community College Culinary Institute project.

Nanticoke, $1.02 million, to expand the Luzerne County Community College Health Sciences Center into downtown. The project is expected to create at least 60 jobs.

Pittston, $500,000, for the Pittstown Riverfront Redevelopment Program.

Plains Township, $1 million, for East Side Landfill Development.

West Pittston Borough, $500,000, on behalf of United Neighborhood Community Development Center, for the restoration of the historic Hitchner Biscuit Company building on Exeter Avenue.

Wilkes-Barre, $680,000, for the restoration, stabilization of the former First National Bank building.

Wilkes-Barre, $290,900, for the restoration of the Hotel Sterling building, which has been vacant for 10 years.

Wilkes-Barre, $500,000, for the Innovation Center expansion.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development