Massachusetts Gaming Commission hands out USD 2M in grants

The Gaming Law states that the Commission will issue funds to assist host and surrounding communities "including, but not limited to, communities and water and sewer districts in the vicinity of a gaming establishment, local and regional education, transportation, infrastructure, housing, environmental issues and public safety, including the office of the county district attorney, police, fire, and emergency services."

The Commission may also distribute funds to a governmental entity or district other than a single municipality in order to implement a mitigation measure that affects more than one community.

"The Community Mitigation Fund program underscores the Commonwealth's commitment to not only maximizing the benefits associated with expanded gaming, such as jobs and economic development, but also the Legislature's strong mandate to mitigate any unintended consequences that potentially correlate with the arrival of casinos," said MGC Chairman Steve Crosby. "This is only the beginning of our ongoing efforts in assessing impacts and maximizing the benefits of gaming."

A Community Mitigation review team conducted a comprehensive review of all applications to ensure compliance with the 2017 guidelines. The review team made recommendations to the Commission and those recommendations were discussed in a series of public meetings