Council Gets Gaming Grants Update

In the most recent round of gaming grant applications considered by the Northampton County Gaming Revenue and Economic Redevelopment Authority, the borough of Hellertown was without a horse in the race—something representative Dave Heintzelman told borough council was "a huge mistake."

The NCGRERA is tasked with dispensing revenue from the Sands casino resort in Bethlehem in the form of grants, but local municipalities that want a cut of the take need to demonstrate impact in their applications for those grants.

Heintzelman said that although the authority board has become more stringent in its grant application review process, there are still opportunities for the borough to secure needed funds for projects and additional staff.

"The gaming commission—we’re there to help," he said. "The money's there."

That said, he noted that "the board is starting to say if [they] don't see impact, [an application] will be voted against, and you won’t get the award."

Councilman Tom Rieger said that when the next borough council is seated in January, it should make applying for the next round of gaming grants its number one priority.

Heintzelman said he thinks it is possible that the overall revenue from the casino will decrease in the future, but councilwoman Gail Nolf said it's "probably doubtful" that will happen.

She noted that the casino has often outperformed itself in terms of the amount of actual revenue generated when compared with projections.

The application process for the next round of grants will begin in January.

Patch file photo