Local Development Council Announces Rocky Gap Fund Disbursements to Municipalities & Nonprofits
September 5, 2023 - Allegany County receives 5.5% of the slots revenues generated from the casino operation at Rocky Gap. According to State of Maryland Law, 20% of this revenue must be spent on capital requests from Allegany County municipalities and non-profits. On behalf of the Allegany County Commissioners, the Allegany County Local Development Council accepts applications for funding annually.
There were 34 requests this year, with funds being awarded to 31 organizations. A sub-committee of the Local Development Council reviews all requests and awards funds based on a variety of factors, including community impact and need. Awarded funds must be used on capital related expenditure for municipalities and nonprofits. The total amount disbursed this year comes to $995,378. This accounts for the 20% of total proceeds outlined by Maryland law, and some additional unassigned funds from previous years available for discretionary use.
Groups receiving funds this year were AHEC West, Allegany Allied Arts, Allegany College of Maryland, Allegany County Animal Shelter, Allegany County Historical Society, Allegany Museum, AYEPS, Baltimore Pike VFC, Barton Hose Company, Bowmans Addition VFC, Camp Hope, CASA of Western MD, County United Way, Cumberland Cultural Foundation, Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization, Embassy Theatre Corporation, Evergreen Heritage Center Foundation, Friends Aware, Frostburg Palace Theatre, Greenway Avenue Stadium Committee, Humpty Dumpty Learning Center, Mountainside Baroque, Old Town Community Center, Potomac Fire Company #2, PVAA, Women’s Civic Club, The Salvation Army, Town of Barton, Town of Midland, Western Maryland Food Bank, and Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
The application period typically begins in April and runs for several weeks. To be notified when the application period begins next year, sign up for alerts on the County website at https://alleganygov.org/Communications-Hub.