Credit: Parx
Bristol and Middletown townships have submitted applications to the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority in an effort to get casino gaming grants for communities impacted by Parx Casino in Bensalem.
Impact grants, also know as RDA grants, have awarded millions to local towns in the past and helped upgrade streetlights, emergency radios, gas pumps for township vehicles, SWAT team gear and more.
Advertisements
At a recent council meeting, Bristol Township officials approved the submission of several RDA grant applications. One for $700,000 was to improve streetlights, which is part of an ongoing $2 million project. The council also approved an application requesting $220,712 to help pay for upgraded radios for police, firefighters, EMS and the fire marshal’s office.
In Middletown, officials submitted grant requests that would help pay for new radios for first responders and partially fund a new fire engine for the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company. The township is asking for $212,000 to help pay for the new radios and about $250,000 for the fire apparatus.
Bristol and Middletown townships both approved a request for funding for the regional Towns Against Graffiti program. The program helps with graffiti and litter removal in Lower Bucks County.
Advertisements
County commissioners approved three applications for the grant money last month as well. One request, also the largest, was for $800,000 to fund the Lower Bucks Public Safety center in Bristol Township.
According to state regulations, the Bensalem casino is required to give 1 percent of annual revenues to towns that are directly impacted by Parx. Last year, about 4 million was given to area communities.
