Local Share Account (LSA) - Statewide

The Local Share Account (LSA) Statewide program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) in alignment with the provisions of the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 2004-71), as amended. The program’s objective is to distribute gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to support projects that serve the public interest across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The LSA Statewide program is an important resource for facilitating improvements in community infrastructure, enhancing quality of life, and fostering local economic and social development. The funding scope of the LSA program encompasses a wide array of project types aimed at benefitting the public interest. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a Pennsylvania nonprofit entity. They must contribute to improving the quality of life in the community. Allowable uses of funds include acquisition, construction (including renovation and rehabilitation), demolition, infrastructure improvements (notably, sidewalks for public use are always eligible), purchase of vehicles, machinery, and equipment, as well as planning, consulting, and design costs related to planning projects. Additionally, engineering, design, and inspection services, including permitting fees for construction projects, can be funded up to 10% of the total grant award, unless the project is planning-only. Administrative costs of the applicant necessary to administer the grant are permitted up to 2% of the total grant request/award. Contingency costs are also eligible up to 5% of documented construction and infrastructure costs. The program imposes certain limitations on project costs. Ineligible costs include operational and salary expenses (with limited exceptions), consumable supplies, uniforms and personal protective equipment, furniture, training costs, certain consulting fees, warranty fees, marketing and public relations costs, costs for securing financing, interest on borrowed funds, lobbying, fines, and any costs incurred before CFA funding approval. Each project must have a total eligible project cost of at least $25,000, and grant requests cannot exceed $1,000,000. Applicants are required to submit a cohesive project scope in each application but may submit multiple applications for different projects. Projects cannot commence prior to CFA approval, and all reimbursable costs must be incurred within the established grant agreement period. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities (cities, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships, or home rule municipalities), municipal authorities, economic development agencies, redevelopment authorities, land banks, and councils of government. The program mandates nondiscrimination in hiring and service delivery, comprehensive record-keeping, and certification of expenses. Bidding procedures must comply with statutory requirements where applicable, and prevailing wage requirements may apply to projects exceeding certain thresholds. Conflicts of interest must be disclosed to the applicant’s governing body, with affected individuals abstaining from related decisions. To apply, eligible applicants must submit an electronic Single Application for Assistance through DCED’s online portal at dced.pa.gov/singleapp. The application window is open annually from September 1 to November 30. Applicants must also submit several supplemental items, including a project description, detailed cost estimates, ownership confirmation, a resolution from the governing body, and evidence of matching funds if applicable (though a match is not required). The CFA evaluates applications based on cost, strategic importance, and anticipated community impact. Approved applicants will receive a grant agreement and commitment letter, which must be electronically signed and returned within 45 days. Funds will be disbursed upon contract execution and verified payment requests. For program inquiries, applicants can contact the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, Center for Community Enhancement, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, 4th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225. The contact phone number is (717) 787-6245, and the email address is ra-dcedcbf@pa.gov.

Applicants should ensure that project costs are incurred within the eligible period, projects should not begin before approval, and bid procedures must be followed if applicable.