Local Share Account (LSA) – Category 4 Facilities Program (Berks, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and York Counties)

The Local Share Account Category 4 Facilities Program is administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community and Economic Development and funded under the authority of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. This program directs gaming revenues generated by Category 4 licensed facilities into projects that serve the public interest within designated host counties. The current eligible counties include Berks, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and York, and all supported activities must occur within these geographic boundaries. The Commonwealth Financing Authority is responsible for overseeing the distribution and administration of these funds. The primary purpose of the program is to improve the quality of life for residents in host communities by supporting projects that deliver tangible public benefits. Eligible projects are broadly defined as those in the public interest and may include infrastructure improvements, construction or demolition projects, acquisition of property, and the purchase of machinery or equipment. Planning, consulting, and design activities are also eligible when tied directly to project development. The program emphasizes capital projects rather than operational support, reinforcing its focus on long term community enhancement. Funding may be used for a range of allowable expenses, including acquisition, construction, infrastructure, and engineering costs. However, strict limitations apply to certain categories of spending. Administrative costs are capped at two percent of the total award, engineering and design costs are limited to ten percent, and contingency costs may not exceed five percent of documented construction and infrastructure costs. Ineligible costs include ongoing operational expenses, salaries unrelated to grant administration, consumable supplies, furniture, training, public relations activities, and debt financing costs. Additionally, any costs incurred prior to grant approval are not eligible for reimbursement. Eligibility is restricted to specific types of public and quasi public entities located within the eligible counties. These include municipalities, counties, redevelopment authorities, economic development agencies, land banks, and councils of government. Projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a Pennsylvania nonprofit organization. While nonprofit entities may be involved in project ownership, they are not listed as direct applicants, indicating that public entities are the primary applicants responsible for submission and compliance. The application process requires submission through the Department of Community and Economic Development Single Application for Assistance portal. Applicants must complete an online application and upload required supplemental materials, including a detailed project description, cost estimates prepared within one year of submission, ownership confirmation, and a governing board resolution for public entities. A non refundable application fee of one hundred dollars is required and must be paid electronically prior to submission. Applications are accepted annually during a defined window from July first through September thirtieth. Applications are reviewed by the Commonwealth Financing Authority to confirm eligibility and are evaluated based on cost effectiveness, strategic importance, and overall community impact. Successful applicants enter into a formal grant agreement and must comply with program requirements including nondiscrimination policies, record keeping, competitive bidding procedures, and prevailing wage laws where applicable. Payment is reimbursement based and requires submission of invoices and supporting documentation, with processing typically taking two to four weeks. The program operates on an annual cycle with recurring application periods and reporting obligations. Recipients must submit annual reports detailing how funds were used, including financial distributions and project outcomes. Program inquiries are directed to the Department of Community and Economic Development Center for Community Enhancement, which provides support via phone and email. Overall, the program represents a structured funding opportunity aimed at reinvesting gaming revenues into sustainable, community focused infrastructure and development initiatives.