Dauphin County Commissioners approve gaming grants for projects

A total of 151 projects will share just over $8.375 million in gaming dollars from Hollywood Casino by Dauphin County Commissioners.  

An estimated 2,365 jobs will be preserved as funds will be available through the casino local share revenue program and awarded to agencies and programs across the county. The funds will provide for projects for affordable housing, community-based improvements, emergency services, food bank and shelter resources, schools, veterans programs, and youth services. 

“The fruits of the local share program have been plentiful and continue to impact every corner of Dauphin County,” Commissioner Chair Mike Pries said in a statement. “These transformative projects would otherwise have to be paid for with taxpayer dollars.” 

Recommendations to the commissioners for receipts of funding were presented by the Dauphin County Gaming Board (GAB). An application and hearing process preceded the recommendations.  

The GAB was created by the commissioners when local share money became available. Along with reviewing projects, the GAB is responsible for tracking ongoing work to make certain the money is used as intended. 

Commissioner Chad Saylor called casino revenue the gift that keeps on giving. 

“And we are proud of the transparent, fair, and inclusive selection process that ensures consideration to every applicant,” said Saylor. 

Commissioner George P. Hartwick III said programs were prioritized to keep families safe, offer resources to children and underserved populations, and expand Dauphin County’s affordable housing options. 

Derry, East Hanover, South Hanover, West Hanover, Middle Paxton, and Rush townships were awarded more than $2 million for infrastructure, emergency responder, and recreation projects. 

Projects highlighted by commissioners involving building and construction include Reed Township’s construction of a municipal building and City of Harrisburg‘s city hall renovations and improvements. 

Additional projects involving building and construction include: 

• East Hanover Township – $517,000 for annual road maintenance and repair. 
• Derry Township – $9,500 for Hershey History Center building enhancements and technology upgrades. 

• Middle Paxton Township – $163,000 Potato Valley Road improvement and Red Hill Road Bridge replacement project debt reduction; $98,000 Dauphin Borough construction of community building. 
• Rush Township – $50,000 new building to store equipment. 
• South Hanover Township – $100,000 new public works facility. 
• West Hanover Township – $45,960 Tall Cedars of Lebanon pavilion and roof replacement. 

Municipal awards include the following: 

• Harrisburg Housing Authority – New construction of 42 affordable apartment units; conditioned upon full funding and tax credits, $115,000. 
• Highspire Borough Authority – Wastewater treatment facility improvement project, $90,000. 
• Lower Dauphin School District – Retaining wall repair/renovation project, $45,000. 
• Millersburg Borough – Revitalize Market Square Park, $140,000. 

• Royalton Borough – Borough Hall roof repairs, $84,500. 
• Swatara Township – Development and construction of emergency operations center and law enforcement facilities, $155,000. 
• Washington Township – Debt relief for municipal building roof replacement, $65,000. 

Other building/construction awards include: 

• Berrysburg Borough-Mifflin Township Recreation Assoc. – Playground/Park project, $43,000. 
• Breaking the Chainz – Restoration and rehabilitation of five apartments, $15,000. 
• Chris Dawson Architect, LLC – Lowengard Building redevelopment project, $55,000. 
• Club Clippa dba Steelton Hair – Building and site improvements for expansion and safety, $5,500. 
• Fernandez Realty Group Affordable Houses – Construct Sycamore St. low-income housing project; conditioned upon securing affordable housing funds and City of Harrisburg funds, $90,000. 

• J & K Investment Holdings – Construct new 4-unit townhouse project), $30,000. 
• Summit Terrace Neighborhood Association – Building revitalization and technology and security upgrade, $5,000. 
• Zembo Shrine – Preservation of building and roof repair, $29,000. 
• Zeroday Brewing Co. – New restaurant design and construction project, $16,750. 

Projects not receiving funding will receive prioritized reconsideration by the commissioners in 2024.