Centre commissioners question impact of proposed casino at Nittany Mall
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BELLEFONTE — Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board held a public input hearing regarding a Category 4 mini-casino proposed for the former Macy’s location at the Nittany Mall.
On Tuesday, the Centre County commissioners talked about the possibility and what a casino would mean to Centre County.
“It’s really going to depend on when the casino would open and what kind of activity they see — many years from now,” said commissioner Michael Pipe.
The public hearing was held at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center on Monday.
The casino is the brainchild of investor and former Penn State trustee Ira Lubert, who had a winning bid of $10 million at a September 2020 auction for a new license for a Category 4 casino that would be located in Centre County.
In January, Bally’s Corporation announced it had signed an agreement with Lubert to develop the planned $123 million mini-casino. In March, SC Gaming Op Co., LLC, the entity formed by Lubert to develop the casino, submitted an application and local impact report that identified the 94,000-square-foot anchor spot at the College Township mall as its location.
According to Pipe, any talk of casino revenue is premature.
“I think our priority … the funds that we need to plan for and spend … is the American Rescue Plan. That’s the big thing at this point,” Pipe said. “We know that’s here and we need to allocate that and use it.”
As far as the casino is concerned, Pipe said “that’s a ways off.”
Commissioner Steve Dershem voiced his concerns over the potential casino.
“Going back to some of the issues with substance abuse, I think gambling abuse might be something that we need to look at and figure out how much impact that will have on our community and how we have to fund the treatment — if you will — for some of the folks that may find themselves in trouble with excessive gambling,” Dershem said. “Before we write this all in place, I really want to look at some of the impacts that the casino might have on our local communities.”
Commissioner Mark Higgins suggested speaking to other counties to gauge what type of an impact a casino could have on Centre County.
“Erie County is a few years ahead of us in this process. Definitely want to take a look at what they’ve done. We obviously want to look at counties our size and what have they done? What’s been successful for them?” Higgins asked.
The casino would go into the “anchor store” spot at the mall is expected to have 750 slot machines, 30 table games and sports betting, along with a restaurant and bar and a multi-outlet quick-serve food and beverage area. Lubert has not announced a timetable for the casino in terms of construction or grand opening.
In other business Tuesday:
— Higgins reminded small businesses in Centre County that there is still time to apply for the Small Business Grant program, which is providing a total of $3 million in grants for Centre County businesses.
“That’s rolling,” Higgins said of the application process. “First come, first served. So, when we run out of money, it will be over. We want to try to give that full $3 million out to the businesses in Centre County.”
According to Higgins, grant amounts range from $2,000 to $20,000.
“Once you are approved (for a grant), it takes about two weeks,” Higgins said.
— The commissioners proclaimed Aug. 31 as “Overdose Awareness Day” and September 2021 as “National Recovery Month” in Centre County.
— Approved a letter of agreement with Peerstar, LLC to provide mental health services including peer support. The agreement total is $3,500, which is funded as follows: State $3,339 and county match $161, for the period of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
— Approved a contract renewal with The Arc of Centre County to provide intellectual disability services including supported employment, home and community services, transportation, and behavioral support. The contract total is $50,000, which is funded as follows: State $47,695 and county match $2,305, for the period of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
— Approved a contract renewal with Central Intermediate Unit No. 10 to provide Early Intervention services including special instruction (hearing/vision), IFSP teaming and interpretation. The contract total is $20,000, which is funded as follows: State $18,000 and county match $2,000, for the period of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
The commissioners will meet again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 24 at the Willowbank Building. The meeting is open to the public, but masks are mandatory. The meeting will also be televised live by C-NET.
