Local Share Account (LSA) - Statewide

The Local Share Account Statewide program is supported by gaming revenues distributed under the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, Act 2004-71, as amended. The Commonwealth Financing Authority administers the distribution of these revenues to support projects in the public interest within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The program is intended to improve the quality of life of citizens in Pennsylvania communities. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or by a Pennsylvania nonprofit entity. Eligible applicants are Pennsylvania counties; municipalities, including cities, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships, and home rule municipalities; qualifying municipal authorities; economic development agencies; redevelopment authorities organized under the Urban Redevelopment Law; land banks organized under Pennsylvania law; and councils of government meeting the program definition. Eligible projects are projects in the public interest that improve quality of life in the community. Eligible uses include acquisition; construction, renovation, and rehabilitation; demolition; infrastructure; sidewalks for public use; purchase of vehicles, machinery, and equipment; planning, consulting, and design costs for planning projects; and certain engineering, design, inspection, permitting, administrative, and contingency costs subject to stated limitations. Engineering, design, and inspection costs, including permitting fees, for construction projects may not exceed 10 percent of the total grant award, although this limitation does not apply to planning-only projects. Applicant administrative costs necessary to administer the grant may not exceed 2 percent of the total grant request or award, and contingency costs may not exceed 5 percent of documented construction and infrastructure costs. Ineligible costs include general operations and salaries other than eligible grant administration expenses, consumable supplies, uniforms, personal protective equipment, furniture, training, most consulting fees, warranty fees, public relations and marketing, financing fees, interest, leases and lease payments, refinancing, lobbying, reparations, fines, application preparation or consultant fees, and costs incurred before CFA funding approval. Equipment leasing is also ineligible. Projects must have at least $25,000 in total eligible project costs, and a grant request may not exceed $1,000,000 for any project. The $25,000 threshold applies to total eligible project cost and is not stated as a minimum grant award. Match is not required. Applicants may submit multiple applications, but each application must present a cohesive scope based on a singular project, which may include multiple phases of that project. Work may not commence before CFA approval, including work associated with a proposed match, and reimbursable project costs must be incurred within the period established by the grant agreement. Applications are submitted through the electronic DCED Single Application for Assistance at grants.pa.gov. Required supplemental materials must be electronically attached on the Addenda tab. These include a project description addressing project activities, expected results, location, applicable economic development priority and community or economic impact, an applicable color-coded project map, and estimated start and end dates; current detailed cost estimates and required professional or vendor support; confirmation concerning ownership and maintenance; a governing-board resolution for public sector applicants; and, when other funding sources are included in the project budget, commitment letters or evidence of organizational financial capacity. A $100 non-refundable application fee must be paid electronically before certification and submission. Applicants must complete the post-payment submission process and obtain the 12-digit Application ID, or the application will be ineligible for consideration. Applications are received annually from September 1 through November 30. The CFA reviews proposed projects for eligibility and evaluates applications based on cost, strategic importance, and impact. No separate LOI, concept paper, or other pre-application gating requirement is stated in the guidelines. If approved, the applicant receives an electronic commitment letter and grant agreement, which must be electronically signed and returned within 45 days of the commitment letter date or the offer may be withdrawn. A fully executed contract is required before grant funds can be disbursed. Payment requests must include the required form and supporting documentation, and processing generally takes two to four weeks. Program inquiries may be directed to the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, Center for Community Enhancement, at ra-dcedcbf@pa.gov or (717) 787-6245.

Address the CFA evaluation factors of cost, strategic importance, and impact; present a cohesive scope based on one project; use cost estimates current within one year of submission and required professional or vendor support; do not commence project work or incur proposed match before CFA approval; complete the submission process after paying the fee so a 12-digit Application ID is generated.