Commissioner George Hartwick
Dauphin County Commissioners on Wednesday approved the awarding of $10.4 million worth of gaming grants as they were put forth by the Gaming Advisory Board last week.
Elsewhere, they made changes.
After tabling the approval of gaming grants last Wednesday due to concerns about the selection and funding process, the commission upped the grants of several organizations recommended by the board. Each had requested more funds than the board allotted.
The seven groups included local food pantries, iron and plumbers unions, and religious groups.
Commissioner George Hartwick said he went back and reviewed the board’s recommendations for “gaps” in food insecurity, affordable housing and workforce development funding ahead of recommending the $120,000 total in increases.
“My approach today is guided by simple principles in a time of rising costs and economic pressure,” Hartwick said. “We must prioritize food security, affordable housing and job creation—the foundational needs of the residents that we serve.”
The commissioners also voted 2-1 to tack on an additional $595,000 of gaming grants for groups that applied for funds but were not selected by the board. Money for these grants will come out of the county’s unrestricted funds.
Pries said the county has around $16 million in unrestricted gaming funds right now to pull from.
“We certainly don’t want to raid that, but $595,000 to go to organizations that Commissioner Hartwick has just listed, I think is a very fair and equitable distribution,” Pries said.
Douglas thought differently.
“This is ultimately our savings account,” he said, noting that he could not support the additional grants. The county has to make difficult decisions to avoid additional property tax increases at this time, he said, referencing the county’s failure to raise property taxes for a 19-year stretch that ended in 2024.
Commission Chair Justin Douglas
Gaming grants redistribute a portion of gaming revenue from the Hollywood Casino at Penn National to Dauphin County nonprofits, municipalities and businesses. Restricted gaming grant funds cannot be used for county tax relief purposes, while unrestricted funds can.
“I have supported recommendations of the Gaming Board except the recommendation to go over budget,” Douglas said.
The commissioners also eliminated $281,187 worth of grants from the prior list, removing awards for the Dauphin County Public Safety for facility enhancements ($244,187) and the Steelton Borough of Police for a co-responder program ($37,000.) Funds have been secured for both projects by other means, they said.
Pries requested the county solicitor’s office to take a thorough overview of gaming law and review conflicts of interest provisions.
“This, I believe, will lay the groundwork for meaningful reform,” Pries said.
Three of the Gaming Advisory Board’s five members, all newly appointed in 2025, resigned after last week’s failure to approve the grants.
Among Wednesday’s approved grants, the Capital Area Greenbelt was awarded $75,000 to buy land and a right-of-way in South Harrisburg from construction material supplier Pennsy Supply to relocate the Greenbelt trail.
The Harrisburg Green Alliance, a nonprofit conservancy launched earlier this year, received $25,000 to beautify Riverfront Park and city entrance points along N. Front Street and at S. 2nd and Paxton streets.
The Capital City Sports Group, which owns and operates the City Islanders, was given $50,000 to rehabilitate City Island’s Skyline Sports Complex.
Money for facility upgrades and repairs was awarded to the Harrisburg Area YMCA, the Harrisburg City Bureau of Fire, the Historical Society of Dauphin County and the Civic Club.
All Harrisburg-based gaming grant awards are listed below:
- AKA Foundation of Central PA—6th annual “It’s About You” community event, financial literacy programs, literacy program—$5,000
- All You Can—Program for at risk students that provides essential life skills, trade skills and certifications—$10,000
- Amiracle4Sure—A community for people to have access to clean drinking water, restrooms and showers—$10,000
- A New Tomorrow—Purchase a 15-passenger van and hire a full-time driver—$17,250
- Beacon Clinic for Health and Hope—Expand access to diagnostic testing and upgrade office infrastructure—$30,000
- Beahive Affordable Housing Outreach—Affordable housing development project—$50,000
- Bethany AME Church—Roof replacement, renovations—$25,000
- Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg—Safety and infrastructure upgrades at Angino and John N. Hall Clubhouse (HVAC and ventilation upgrades, bathroom renovations, new door awnings, reinforced entry doors and fencing)—$40,000
- Breadcoin—Distribute tokens to Harrisburg human service, shelter and faith-based non-profits—$20,000
- Brethren Housing—Transitional housing, individualized case management, renter education and community resources—$50,000
- Capital Area Greenbelt Association—Acquire a 1.3-acre tract and a 0.4 acre right-of-way from Pennsy Supply to relocate the Greenbelt Trail in South Harrisburg—$75,000
- Capital City Sports Group—Rehabilitation of Skyline Sports Complex at City Island—$50,000
- Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick—To restore, enhance and improve lighting—$50,000
- Contact Helpline—Enhance and strengthen IT infrastructure—$22,656
- Dauphin County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)—Recruit, train and supervise community volunteer court-appointed special advocates for children—$30,000
- Downtown Daily Bread—Facility Upgrades—$35,000
- Gather the Spirit for Justice—Repair/replacement of door locks and installation of a defibrillator—$30,000
- Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church—Repair sidewalk along Progress Avenue (Phase 1)—$22,650
- Handles’ Helping Hand Foundation—Construct four single-family homes on Market Street—$50,000
- Harrisburg Area Food Pantry—Meet the demand for emergency food supplies for community—$50,000
- Harrisburg Area YMCA—Modernize existing facility to improve safety, functionality and service capacity—$75,000
- Harrisburg City Bureau of Fire—Critical upgrades to bedroom and bathroom facilities at Fire Station #1—$250,000
- Harrisburg Cougar Midget Football Association—Purchase new football and cheer equipment—$49,341
- Harrisburg Green Alliance—Revamp the city entrances at N. Front Street and at 2nd & Paxton Street and enhance River Front Park—$25,000
- Helping the Harrisburg Family—Care and essential distribution and related transportation expenses—$23,125
- Historic Harrisburg Association—Procurement of contracted services to design, develop and install new HVAC system—$30,000
- Historical Society of Dauphin County—Restore, repair and renovate the grounds of John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion—$35,000
- Ironworkers Local 404—Critical training materials and equipment upgrades—$50,000
- JT Dorsey Foundation—Support organizational capacity through marketing and programming—$10,000
- Justice House of Hope—Purchase and installation of security camera system at Justice House of Hope—$6,000
- Kicks 4 All Foundation—Year-round equipment aid program—$15,000
- Latino Connection Foundation—New construction of three townhomes—$50,000
- Latino Hispanic American Community Center—Funds to hire a dedicated case manager—$50,000
- LGBT Community Center Coalition of Central PA—Installation of shower, roof replacement, HVAC system—$50,000
- Market Square Presbyterian Church—Upgrade to the functionality of church kitchen—$25,000
- Messiah Lutheran Church—Removal of damaged concrete sidewalk and 97 feet of slate curbing on 6th Street—$25,000
- Mount Olive Baptist Church—Roof replacement—$50,000
- Neighborhood Dispute Settlement—Expand mediation services and community outreach training and upgrade office infrastructure—$2,500
- Neighborhood Football Club—New uniforms and advanced sports analytics tools—$10,000
- Open Stage—Debt relief on facility upgrades, and construction and outfitting of recording studio—$10,000
- Operation Light of Hope Disaster Relief—Purchase drone, emergency response trailer and relief supplies—$25,000
- Organization of Hindu Religion and Culture—Replace outdated HVAC system—$50,000
- PA Council of Churches—Replacement of hot water heater—$25,000
- Planned Parenthood Keystone—Harrisburg Health Center upgrades —$40,000
- Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 520—Maximize weld training space —$50,000
- SOAL: SavingOurAncestorsLegacy—Enhance public safety, accessibility and public engagement—$25,000
- South Central PA JUDO Foundation—Purchasing two full mats to be used for different locations—$15,000
- St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church—Installation of fire alarm system and replace HVAC—$70,000
- St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church—Regulation size multi-use court for basketball, pickleball and tennis—$50,000
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church—Lighting and security system upgrades—$25,000
- St. Stephen’s Episcopal School—Replace school’s failing heat sources—$30,000
- Summit Terrace Neighborhood Association—Upgrades to 3-bedroom apartment—$50,000
- Tec Centro Capital Region—Purchase equipment such as Amatrol trainers, trade related equipment, tools and supplies—$50,000
- Technology4Me—Purchase computer provisions for students, veterans and elderly—$18,500
- Temple Ohev Sholom—Replace two HVAC systems—$75,000
- The Civic Club—Complete exterior restoration of Fleming Mansion—$26,700
- The Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church—Restore church edifice and remodel church parsonage—$50,000
- The Martin Luther King Baptist Church—Replacement of current roof —$75,000
- The Nativity School—Purchase new appliances, classroom equipment and furniture and dedicated STEM lab—$75,000
- The Salvation Army—Funding to make facility more accessible and secure—$35,000
- The South Central PA Sickle Cell Council—Expand sickle cell education, patient and family support services—$25,000
- TLC Work Based Training Program—Replacement of gym floor and installation of electric partition—$125,000
- Tri-County OIC—Provide reliable transportation to ensure students can access classes—$50,000
- Tri-County Regional Planning—Review and update comprehensive plan—$75,000
- Trinity Preschool of Harrisburg—Creation of a functional kitchen for students—$15,000
- Unite Central PA—Low-cost or free transportation services for children and youth—$25,000
- Wildheart Ministries—Create nine new affordable homeownership units and three commercial spaces—$50,000
- Zembo Shriners—Replacement of existing roof system—$75,000
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