Dauphin County Local Gaming Share
2008-09 Grant Process
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have questions about the grant application. Where do I direct my questions?

A: Please direct all inquires to:

Dauphin County Gaming Advisory Committee
c/o Dauphin County Chief Clerk's Office
PO Box 1295
Harrisburg, PA 17108
717-780-6300

Q: Who is eligible for grants?

A: Those eligible for grants include East Hanover Township, municipalities contiguous with East Hanover Township (Derry, Middle Paxton, Rush, South Hanover and West Hanover townships), and Dauphin County . Non-contiguous municipalities can be eligible if they partner with one of the aforementioned municipalities. Priority will be given to intergovernmental projects and those that leverage outside investments into the county.

Q: I have a project idea, but I don't represent a municipality. Can I still apply?

A: Non-municipal entities may only apply if their project is sponsored by an eligible local municipal government or Dauphin County . No consideration will be given to projects that are not sponsored by a municipality.

Q: How much money will be available in competitive grants?

A: Available funds are tied to gaming revenues, and gaming revenues will fluctuate. It is estimated that about $6 million will be available in the first year. Of that, $3 million will be prioritized for projects in East Hanover Township , the casino's host community. That means about $3 million will be available during the competitive process. Again, available funds are estimated and subject to change according to formulas established by state law .

Q: Will one municipality be able to secure all $3 million?

A: The Dauphin County Commissioners have indicated that gaming money should have a broad impact and benefit many areas of Dauphin County . Applicants should be mindful that large requests must be balanced against this priority. However, a minimum grant size has not been established.

Q: When are grant applications due?

A: All applications must be postmarked or delivered no later than close of business on Monday, Sept. 1, 2008. No exceptions will be granted.

Q: Where should we send our applications?

A: Send applications to the Dauphin County Gaming Advisory Committee (DCGAC) in care of the Chief Clerk's office at the address listed above.

Q: How many copies should we send?

A: Please include 10 paper copies and an electronic copy.

Q: Should we provide anything beyond the requirements in the application?

A: We will accept any additional items that will be helpful in rendering a decision.

Q: When will the first grants be awarded?

A: We anticipate all grants will be awarded no later than March 1, 2009.

Q: Who will award the grants?

A: The Gaming Act establishes two separate grant pools. The Dauphin County Industrial Development Authority (DCIDA) will award grants from one grant pool. The Dauphin County Commissioners, with the advice of the DCGAC, will award grants from the second grant pool.

Q: How do I know which pool is the right one for my application?

A: Please read the grant application carefully. Eligibility is clearly defined in Section II. If you still have questions, please contact the Dauphin County Chief Clerk's Office.

Q: What is the process for approving grants?

A: Beginning in September 2008, we anticipate both the DCIDA and DCGAC to use the following process, which is anticipated to take about six months:

• 60-day application review . This will determine whether grant applications fit eligibility requirements set by state law and county guidelines. The county wants to ensure all applicants have the information necessary in order to be eligible. Please refer to the requirements in the grant application, as well as the answers above. Any further questions should be directed to the Dauphin County Chief Clerk's Office.

• Public presentations of all eligible applicants. Once eligibility is determined, all applicants will be required to make a public presentation explaining their project. Presentations will be made during special public hearings according to a schedule set by the county. Once the schedule has been set, no time changes will be granted. The general public will have an opportunity to comment at each hearing on projects of interest. Written comments will also be accepted.

• Follow-up hearings. After all hearings are complete, the county reserves the right to schedule follow-up public hearings. Such hearings would be held to ensure all questions about applicants are satisfied. Additional hearings will not be viewed as a positive or negative when rendering final decisions. The DCIDA and DCGAC will each establish a deadline for submitting written testimony.

• Final grant review. After all public presentations and written comments have been received; an approximate 30-day review process will begin. Grant awards will be announced during public meetings of the DCIDA and Dauphin County Commissioners no later than March 1, 2009.

Q: If grants will be awarded no later than March 1, 2009, when will the grant review process begin?

A: The process will begin at some point after the Sept. 1, 2008 submission deadline. A formal schedule will be released shortly after all applications are received.

Q: How will gaming funds be transferred to those projects that are selected?

A: Dauphin County will closely scrutinize the use of gaming funds. Awards will not be disbursed through block grants, but rather on an as-needed basis. The county will reimburse projects for their expenses after receiving detailed receipts. Any remaining money after the completion of a project will be placed into a pool for future grants.

Q: Must projects that win grant awards begin immediately?

A: All recipients will be required to sign a Grant Agreement. The Grant Agreement will include conditions on the recipient, including, but not limited to deadlines for initiating the selected projects. It is anticipated that the Grant Agreement will require that work must be initiated on all winning projects within ONE YEAR of the grant award (no later than March 1, 2010). Projects that fail to meet this deadline, or breach other requirements of the Grant Agreement, will have their funding revoked.