Slots revenue funds some local projects
$10 million shared by six counties
HARRISBURG - Several high-profile projects in Northeast Pennsylvania received funding Tuesday with the latest distribution of local-share slots revenues from Mount Airy Casino Resort.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved the distribution of $10 million from an assessment on Mount Airy slots revenues to finance projects in Monroe County, where the casino is located, and five surrounding counties: Lackawanna, Wayne, Pike, Carbon and Northampton.
The breakdown is $3.9 million for projects in Monroe County; $6.1 million for projects in the surrounding counties.
The local share is distributed annually under the 2004 slots law to help municipalities hosting casinos and address public safety and infrastructure needs stemming from the casino business.
A project by Lace Building Affiliates to redevelop a portion of the historic Scranton Lace Co. complex in Scranton received $440,000.
Jody Cordaro, principal of Lace Building Affiliates said the casino funds are another "incremental success" toward converting an abandoned brownfield into a thriving mixed-use community. Last year, the building was entered into the National Register of Historic Places, a move that will allow the firm to seek historic tax credits for the project, he said. The casino funding would help defray demolition and remediation costs of that project that involves more than 600,000 square feet of buildings on 10 acres, he said.
"This is great news for the project and adds another important piece to our plan to transform the former Scranton Laceworks complex," Mr. Cordaro said.
The Mount Pleasant Outpatient Center in Scranton received $400,000 to help purchase new medical equipment. Geisinger Health Systems is building the outpatient center in the Mount Pleasant Corporate Center.
Scranton received $500,000 to help pay for street paving throughout 80 blocks that have been damaged by cracks and potholes.
The city's DPW Director Mark Dougher said word of its approval is good news.
Dunmore received $345,000 to renovate and expand the borough firehouse.
Council President Sal Verrastro said he and other officials have made a $500,000 request for three years now and will find a way to cover the remainder of the expenses. Among the key improvements to the Dunmore firehouse, funding will provide resources to raise the garage opening at the building. This will allow the borough to consider a greater variety of firetrucks when it makes future purchases.
Mr. Verrastro said the borough has preferred to purchase a quint truck - which includes a ladder and a water pumper - but hasn't because it is taller than the garage entrance.
Other improvements include renovating current sleeping quarters and restrooms and adding separate sleeping quarters and facilities for women firefighters.
Jefferson Twp. will receive $120,000 for the acquisition of land for a recreational facility in the community. In October, supervisors for the township identified 42 acres off Route 348 near Ritter's Farm Market and secured $265,000 in financing for the property. Supervisor John H. Patterson Jr. said the casino funding will help advance the project to the master plan stage.
In other communities:
- In Wayne County, projects include $445,000 for highway improvements near Sterling Business Park; $95,000 for a Dreher Twp. park project and $150,000 for sewer lines in Palmyra Twp.
- Monroe County Industrial Development Authority received $600,000 for a natural gas line extension to help Vigon International reduce energy costs at its manufacturing and distribution facilities.
- Pike County received $295,000 to renovate the county court facility in Milford.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com