THE CORDISH COMPANIES, LIVE! CASINO & HOTEL AND THE ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ANNOUNCE $19.2 MILLION IN LOCAL IMPACT AND COMMUNITY GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Total Funds Disseminated by the LDC over Eight Years Approaches $150 Million in Support of Anne Arundel County Operational and Capital Programs, Non-Profit Organizations and Community Associations
Hanover, MD (October 14, 2020) – The Cordish Companies, Live! Casino & Hotel and the Anne Arundel County Local Development Council (LDC) awarded more than $19.2 million in local impact and community grants to organizations in Anne Arundel County for Fiscal Year 2021. This year’s grants bring the total funds generated by Live! Casino & Hotel in support of Anne Arundel County organizations to nearly $150 million since the casino opened eight years ago.
This year’s awards included funds for Anne Arundel County operational and capital programs, along with grants to support local organizations responding to increased community needs from COVID-19. Such investments include human services, community revitalization and beautification, and programs to support youth development & education. The allocations were recommended by the LDC, which advises the County Executive on and manages the distribution of the county’s gaming tax revenue to organizations in communities surrounding the casino. Once awarded through the County budget process and approved by the County Council, grants are managed by Arundel Community Development Services, Inc.
Earlier this year, the LDC and Anne Arundel County reallocated $750,000 in unspent funds from FY2020 to provide emergency rent, utility and food assistance to local residents in need of financial support during the ongoing COVID-19 economic and public health crisis.
According to Amy Gantt, a volunteer with the Christian Assistance Program, which benefited from the LDC’s COVID response and is also receiving an FY 2021 award, the organization “sees individuals and families struggle every week, and the number of families has risen since the pandemic. But now that we have a consistent source of funding to purchase healthy foods, including produce and dairy, our families can rely on that.”
While COVID-19 has provided many challenges, LDC grantees are responding with resiliency and seizing on new ways to serve the community. Several of the school-based programs are on hold until school resumes in person, while some are forging on with new concepts. For example, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County will move forward with its “Club on the Corner” initiative, which reimagines their usual programming as a mobile “pop up” experience in communities, enabling youth to safely engage in person. Programs sponsored by Kingdom Kare, Inc. will provide mentoring and support for children and teens with risk factors.
“Now more than ever before, Live! Casino & Hotel and The Cordish Companies remain committed to being a community partner that tirelessly strives to enhance the quality of life for county residents while also supporting local non-profits and other organizations dedicated to that same mission,” said Anthony Faranca, General Manager, Live! Casino & Hotel. “The stories of how these organizations have stepped up in a time of tremendous need is nothing short of inspiring. We look forward to our continued support and unwavering dedication to improving lives in the communities where we live and work.”
“I am pleased that these resources can be deployed to projects and initiatives that are working to maintain and beautify communities around the Live! Casino & Hotel, while also supporting education and human service programs to ensure students and families succeed,” said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. “I am grateful for the Local Development Council members who spend most of the year evaluating proposals, listening to presentations and carefully deliberating how the County can maximize investment of these funds, as well as for the revenue that our Live! Casino & Hotel generates.”
“Thank you to the public agencies and organizations that are working hard – now more than ever to keep our neighborhoods strong and build our people up,” said Karen McJunkin, LDC Chair. “The LDC is proud that we have been able to make investments in key public safety programs, improved infrastructure & transit, programs that educate and engage youth, and supports for vulnerable families and adults.”
The Local Impact Grant Recipients for Fiscal Year 2021 include:
County Agency Programs & Projects
Anne Arundel County Fire Department
Operations, Equipment Enhancements - $4,198,000
Anne Arundel County Police Department
Operations, Youth Activity Program, Equipment Enhancements - $3,441,000
Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks
Northwest Park Improvements, Meade High School Turf Field - $2,646,000
Anne Arundel Community College
General Operating - $1,700,000
Anne Arundel County Library System
General Operating - $550,000
Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works
Pedestrian Improvements - $500,000
Anne Arundel County Department of Transportation
202 Line Expansion - $40,000
Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation
Career Development Programming - $270,000
Community Support Grants
Human Services
Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution
Returning Citizens Programming - $30,000
Arc of the Central Chesapeake
Job Development Learning Center - $20,000
Associated Catholic Charities (Sarah's House)
Child Care and Case Management - $80,000
Christian Assistance Program (CAP)
Food Pantry - $20,000
HOPE for All
Turning Houses into Homes - $39,891
Partners In Care, Inc.
Helping Older Adults Stay Independent - $25,000
United Way
LYFTing Anne Arundel County - $30,209
Community Building and Beautification
BWI Community Development Foundation
Roadside Beautification - $440,000
County Connector Shuttle - $659,000
Provinces Civic Association
Lake Marion Restoration Project - $98,750
Sandridge HOA
Sidewalk Replacement - $28,900
Common Space Cleanup - $5,500
Spring Meadows Condominium Association
Roof Replacement (Phase II) - $300,000
Villages of Dorchester
Landscape Installation - $30,000
Watershed Stewards Academy
St. Marks Stormwater Management - $87,770
Youth Development & Education
Annapolis Maritime Museum
Oyster Education Program - $15,000
Assistance League of the Chesapeake
Operation School Bell Kids in Need - $25,000
Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
Severn Club - $50,000
Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB)
Hebron-Harman Kids Sailing Camp - $12,000
Kingdom Kare
After School Mentoring - $35,000
National Cryptologic Museum Foundation
Cyber Center for Education and Innovation - $30,000
National Electronics Museum
Meade Area School Field Trips - $12,500
Rob's Barbershop Community Foundation
MacArthur Middle School Grooming Project - $25,000
Severn Center
Regional Boys & Girls Club, Senior Center & Community Space - $3,750,000
Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR) - Annapolis
Literacy Tutoring - $16,000
The Complete Player Charity
Youth Empowerment Program - $25,000
TOTAL: $19,235,520
LDC impact
The Local Development Council was established in Anne Arundel County after the opening of Live! Casino & Hotel on June 6, 2012. Appointed by the County Executive, the Local Development Council consists of 15 members to serve and advise the County on recommendations for the distribution and expenditure of revenues raised at Live! Casino & Hotel through local impact grants.
Since its formation in 2012, the LDC has awarded nearly $150 million in grants towards county operational and capital programs, and community grants. Community based organizations and nonprofit groups located generally within a three-mile radius of Live! Casino & Hotel are eligible to apply for a local impact grant.
For more information and to apply for a grant, visit http://www.aacounty.org/LDC.
About Live! Casino & Hotel
The AAA Four Diamond rated Live! Casino & Hotel is one of the largest commercial casinos in the country, located in the Washington DC/Baltimore corridor, just off I-95, Route 100 and the B/W Parkway at Arundel Mills. Open 24/7/365, the property features more than 200 live action table games, including a Poker Room; approximately 4,000 slot machines; two High Limit rooms; and the Orchid Gaming & Smoking Patio. Guests can enjoy award-winning accommodations, including 310 luxury guest rooms; the Live! Spa; world-class dining, featuring the Zagat-rated #1 steakhouse The Prime Rib®; David’s, featuring global cuisine; Bobby’s Burger Palace, from celebrated chef Bobby Flay; The Cheesecake Factory®; Luk Fu and 8 at Luk Fu, serving authentic sushi and Asian cuisine; Morty’s Deli; Latin cuisine at En Vivo; the Orchid Kitchen; and Luckies, offering Starbucks coffee, pastries, and Italian gelato; and a sizzling nightlife, including nightly entertainment at Live! Center Stage; the R Bar; and The Lobby Bar at David’s. The Hall @ Live!, a 4,800-seat, three-story multi-use concert and event venue, featuring 40,000-square-feet of customizable meeting space and up to 1,600 banquet seating, with a performance lineup of headline entertainment, completes the Live! experience. Enjoy secure covered parking with valet service and a free self-park garage with Park Assist® and direct elevator access to the casino floor. For reservations, call 443-445 2929, or book online at LiveCasinoHotel.com. Live! Casino & Hotel is owned and operated by a company that is affiliated with The Cordish Companies. Call 855-5MD-LIVE (855-563-5483); or visit LiveCasinoHotel.com or LiveCasino.social. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For employment opportunities, visit www.LiveCasinoHotel.com/jobs.
About The Cordish Companies
The Cordish Companies’ origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Commercial Real Estate; Entertainment Districts; Sports-Anchored Developments; Gaming; Hotels; Residential Properties; Restaurants; International Development; Coworking Spaces; and Private Equity. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. The Cordish Companies has developed and operates highly acclaimed dining, entertainment and hospitality destinations throughout the United States, many falling under The Cordish Companies’ Live! Brand, highly regarded as one of the premier entertainment brands in the country. In gaming, The Cordish Companies has developed among the most successful casino hotel resorts in the world including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa and Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland. Welcoming over 55 million visitors per year, these developments are among the highest profile dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family’s core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, longterm personal relationships, and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information visit www.cordish.com or follow us on Twitter.
“The Cordish Companies,” “The Cordish Company” and “Cordish” are trademarks used under license by independent corporations, legal liability companies and partnerships (“Cordish Entities”). Each Cordish Entity is a separate, single-purpose legal entity that is solely responsible for its obligations and liabilities. No common operations or financial interdependency, and no intermingling of assets or liabilities of the Cordish Entities exists, or should be deemed to exist, as a result of the potential common reference to multiple independent entities operating under the names “Cordish,” “The Cordish Companies” or “The Cordish Company” here or elsewhere.
###
Media Contact: media@cordish.com