Bucks County first responders get casino revenues for local projects
$6,000 Welcome Bonus
Christmas came early for first responders and civil servants in Lower Bucks County as more than $4 million in casino revenues were distributed for local projects.
Taxes on the gaming revenue from Parx Casino in Bensalem will help finance new breathing apparatus for firefighters in Lower Southampton, storm sewers in Langhorne, and roads in Hulmeville, among other items.
Since 2008, the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority has awarded more than $56 million for eligible projects. The money comes from a 1% tax on the gross revenue from the slot machines.
Initially, the funds were distributed to Bensalem and the bordering towns of Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Hulmeville, Lower Southampton, and Middletown. Later, the county would use a loophole in the law to apply on behalf of other communities further away from the casino.
As the host community, Bensalem gets an annual $10 million, officials said.
Each year, applications for casino impact grants are submitted to the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority for review.
“This year we received 49 grant applications requesting over $7.2 million in funding and were able to support 42 projects," said Jeff Darwak, executive director for the authority. "I am pleased that we can assist municipalities with important infrastructure, facility, health and public safety and law enforcement projects, many of which span numerous jurisdictions and involve partnerships amongst multiple municipalities."
- public works bobcat ($83,986), dump truck ($115,450), and pick-up truck ($69,275)
- police tasers ($10,568), and a patrol vehicle ($70,561)
- fire department water rescue equipment ($44,176)
- fire and rescue communication equipment for Grundy Towers ($50,000)
- Traffic signals ($211,000) and traffic video detection upgrades ($60,000)
- Police dashboard and body cameras ($100,000)
- Storm sewer repairs ($175,000)
- Firefighting and rescue equipment ($20,000)
- Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad cardiac monitors ($20,000)
- Edgely Fire Co. rescue tools ($20,000)
- Levittown Fire Co. No. 2 vehicle stabilization struts ($20,000)
- Croydon Fire Co. tablets and laptops ($20,000)
- Third District Fire Co. rescue equipment ($20,000)
- Newportville Fire Co. floor replacement ($13,298)
- Road repairs ($195,000)
- Traffic signals ($25,191)
- William Penn Fire Co. boiler replacement ($68,500)
- Police vehicles ($65,751)
- Municipal and police software ($19,509)
- Police weapons enhancements ($7,179) and radio batteries replacements ($2,971)
- Stormwater management work ($125,515)
- Borough hall repairs ($53,800)
- Breathing apparatus replacements for Feasterville Fire and Lower Southampton firefighters ($200,000)
- Police vehicles and equipment ($78,746)
- Road improvements $100,000
- Police vehicles ($246,510)
- Public works vehicles ($202,590)
- Penndel-Middletown emergency squad power stretchers ($65,184)
- police department vehicles ($133,324)
- Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad equipment ($24,591) and emergency squad auxiliary communications equipment ($19,450)
- Borough hall renovations ($139,416)
- Bucks County Rescue Squad building improvements ($150,000)
- Bucks County Rescue Squad ambulance ($158,178)Lower Bucks Public Safety Training Center ($550,000)
- Towns Against Graffiti ($165,000)
- Bucks County Police Chiefs Association records management system ($115,600)
