Local Share Share Account (LSA) - Luzerne County

The Local Share Account Luzerne County Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development under the authority of the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The program originates from the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, which allocates a portion of gaming revenues to support local communities. Specifically, the program distributes funds derived from two percent of gross terminal revenues from licensed gaming facilities. These funds are intended to mitigate the impacts of gaming while supporting projects that enhance community and economic well being within Luzerne County. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that serve the public interest and improve the quality of life for residents. Eligible uses of funds are broadly defined to include projects that contribute to community development, infrastructure, and economic improvement. The program prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate clear benefits to the public, align with local or regional development strategies, and produce measurable community or economic impact. While the program supports a wide range of activities, it enforces strict limitations on how funds can be used, prohibiting expenses such as debt refinancing, lobbying, training costs, and general operational expenses not directly tied to project implementation. Eligibility for the program is limited to Luzerne County municipalities, the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority, and multi municipal partnerships. The Redevelopment Authority is restricted to applying for economic development or infrastructure related projects only. All applicants must demonstrate that their proposed project aligns with the public interest requirement and meets the program’s eligibility criteria. Projects must be new and cannot include costs incurred prior to approval, ensuring that funding supports forward looking initiatives rather than reimbursing past expenditures. The application process requires submission through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s online Single Application for Assistance system. Applicants must complete the electronic form and upload required supplemental documentation, including a detailed project description, cost estimates, a governing body resolution, and evidence of matching funds if applicable. A non refundable application fee of one hundred dollars must be paid electronically before submission is finalized. Applications are only considered complete once payment is processed and a confirmation with an application identification number is generated. Applications are accepted annually within a defined window from July 1 through September 30. The Commonwealth Financing Authority evaluates submissions based on cost effectiveness, strategic importance, and anticipated impact. Successful applicants enter into a formal grant agreement, which must be executed within forty five days of issuance. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis, requiring documentation of incurred expenses, and payment requests typically take two to four weeks to process. The program imposes several restrictions and compliance requirements. Administrative costs are capped at three percent of the grant award, engineering and design costs are limited to ten percent, and contingency costs cannot exceed five percent of construction related expenses. Projects must adhere to competitive bidding requirements where applicable, and prevailing wage laws may apply depending on project type and size. Recipients must also maintain detailed records, comply with nondiscrimination laws, and submit annual reports describing the use of funds. For inquiries, applicants may contact the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Center for Community Enhancement. The program is recurring on an annual basis, with consistent application timelines and requirements. This structure allows municipalities and eligible entities to plan and prepare proposals aligned with community priorities and funding cycles, ensuring ongoing opportunities to access state supported funding for impactful local projects.

Focus on demonstrating clear community impact, align project with strategic plans, and ensure cost effectiveness and complete documentation