Local Share Account (LSA) – Washington County

The Local Share Account (LSA) – Washington County grant program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), under the authority of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 2004-71, as amended). The purpose of the program is to allocate a portion of local share assessments from certain licensed gaming facilities to fund projects that promote economic and community development in Washington County. The program is managed in close collaboration with the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington (RACW), which serves as the sole eligible applicant responsible for submitting funding proposals on behalf of interested sub-grantees within the county. Eligible projects for the LSA – Washington County program fall into several categories: economic development, job training, community improvement, and public interest projects. Economic development initiatives may include those that generate or retain jobs, while job training projects focus on workforce development. Community improvement efforts may involve the creation or enhancement of civic, cultural, or recreational facilities. Projects categorized under public interest must demonstrate measurable improvements in the quality of life for local residents. RACW is charged with overseeing the local application and review process. This includes publishing the local program guidelines and schedule, ensuring compliance with DCED and statutory requirements, and coordinating the evaluation of submitted applications. Applications are reviewed by RACW in partnership with the Washington County LSA Committee. Final funding recommendations must be submitted to DCED by March 31 each year. DCED then reviews the recommendations for eligibility and funding approval. All applications must be submitted electronically via DCED’s Electronic Single Application for Assistance platform. Along with the application, applicants must submit a completed Project Summary Form, which includes detailed information on project eligibility, alignment with the county comprehensive plan, location, description, start and end dates, cost basis, and funding sources. Supporting documentation such as budget justifications, community support letters, and confirmation of conformity with the county comprehensive plan are also required. Funding amounts vary depending on the nature and scale of the project. Grant funds may not be used for costs incurred before DCED approval, nor may they be used to refinance or reduce existing debt. The evaluation process includes a quantitative analysis of economic impact, regional conditions, private sector investment leverage, use of underutilized sites, local financial support, project readiness, strategic importance, financial need, and project timeline. Administrative expenses related to the project are allowed but may not exceed 6% of the total grant award. Once a project is approved, DCED will issue a grant agreement and commitment letter to RACW, which must be signed electronically within 45 days. Funds may be accessed quarterly based on projected costs, and thorough records must be maintained for all expenditures. Additional requirements include compliance with conflict-of-interest standards, nondiscrimination laws, prevailing wage laws (where applicable), and audit and reporting mandates. For further inquiries, applicants should contact the Center for Community Enhancement, LSA - Washington County Program, at (717) 787-6245 or via fax at (717) 787-9154. The program guidelines were most recently published in March 2020.