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Anne Arundel County Receives Millions In Grant From Maryland Live Casino

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- Fifteen million dollars. That's the amount of grant money Anne Arundel County has received from Maryland Live Casino.

Marcus Washington has more on the reason behind the large donation.

Under the legislations passed for gaming in Maryland, a percentage of a casino's revenue goes back to the community and, since Maryland Live is the number one taxpayer in the state, its payouts are large.

Each time the slots spin at Maryland Live Casino, it's a win for Anne Arundel County.

Here's a breakdown of some of the distribution of the grant money: Anne Arundel Fire Department will get more than $6.8 million. Anne Arundel Police will get more than $3.2 million and Anne Arundel County Community College will get $1.7 million.

The grant money from Maryland Live has helped create a partnership between the casino and the Anne Arundel community, helping improve the quality of life for many families.

"We created a partnership for [casino] dealer school and dealer training that took underemployed or unemployed people and put them in positions making more than $50,000 a year," said Anne Arundel Community College President Dawn Lindsay.

By law, 4.5% of a casino's tax revenue must be put back into the community where it's located---and with Maryland Live being the largest taxpayer in the state---generating 70% of all gaming revenue in Maryland---the Anne Arundel Community College is hitting the jackpot.

"Those grants are used to support all sorts of organizations involved in healthcare, education, health and human services," said County Executive Steve Schuh. "Many of the things we need to improve the quality of life in our county and make our county the best place to live, work and start a business in the state of Maryland."

The Local Development Council decides where the money will go. There is also $250,000 in small grants that will also be awarded.

The grant money from Maryland Live since opening in 2012 has equaled $67 million benefiting Anne Arundel County.

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