Local Share Account (LSA) - Monroe County

The Local Share Account Monroe County grant program is administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) of Pennsylvania, under the oversight of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). This program operates under the framework of the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 2004-71) as amended. The purpose of the program is to distribute 2% of the gross terminal revenues from licensed gaming facilities to support community and economic development efforts, as well as to mitigate the impacts of gaming and related activities. The program aims to enhance the well-being of communities affected by gaming operations through the strategic allocation of these funds. Funding provided through this program is intended to support a wide array of projects. These include public interest projects that improve community quality of life, community improvement initiatives that enhance civic, cultural, or recreational opportunities, and economic development projects designed to stimulate local economies and foster job creation or retention. Additionally, the program supports roadway improvement projects within Monroe County, specifically for roads located within twenty miles of a gaming facility. Eligible applicants include Monroe County itself, five counties contiguous to Monroe County (Carbon, Lackawanna, Northampton, Pike, and Wayne), municipalities within Monroe and these contiguous counties, and economic development agencies or redevelopment authorities within these jurisdictions. Multi-municipality applications are also eligible. This broad eligibility framework is designed to ensure that the benefits of gaming revenues are distributed to a wide array of entities capable of delivering meaningful community impacts. Applications must be submitted electronically through the DCED Single Application for Assistance platform at grants.pa.gov between July 1 and September 30 of each year. Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $100 application fee through a secure third-party vendor prior to submitting their application. Supplemental materials must be attached electronically and include a detailed project description, a current cost estimate from qualified professionals, an authorized resolution from the applicant’s governing body, and documentation of matching funds if applicable. Applications are evaluated by the CFA based on cost, strategic importance, and projected impact. Upon approval, grant agreements must be electronically signed and returned within 45 days. A fully executed contract is required prior to disbursement of funds, with payment requests processed within two to four weeks. Specific restrictions apply to fund usage, prohibiting expenditures on pre-approved project costs, certain administrative and contingency costs, and various ineligible activities such as debt refinancing and operations unrelated to grant administration. Applicants must maintain accurate project records and comply with applicable nondiscrimination policies and competitive bidding requirements. Reporting obligations include an annual report detailing fund usage, submitted via DCED’s online platform. For inquiries, applicants should contact the Department of Community and Economic Development, Center for Community Enhancement, by phone at (717) 787-6245 or via email at ra-dcedcbf@pa.gov. The program is structured to operate on a recurring annual cycle, providing ongoing opportunities for eligible entities to access funding for impactful projects.

Carefully follow all supplemental item requirements, ensure cost estimates and supporting documents are current (within one year), and allow processing time for payment requests.