Casino’s Slots Revenue Up Slightly

BERLIN -- The April figures for the Casino at Ocean Downs were released this week, revealing a continued pattern of gradual increase in the revenue taken in at the video gaming facility in Berlin.

The Casino at Ocean Downs grossed just over $3.5 million in April, up slightly from the $3.25 million the facility generated in March. Each month since the casino opened on Route 589 just south of Ocean Pines, the revenue has gradually increased from $3 million in January to $3.13 million in February and from $3.25 million in March to $3.5 million last month.

After declining in March, the average daily gross per machine spiked up somewhat in April at the Casino at Ocean Downs. The average daily gross per machine for April came in at $155.94 in April, up from the $139.83 reported in March. Year-to-date, the average daily gross per machine at the Ocean Downs casino now stands at $147.33.

A look at the breakdown of the revenue distribution for the casino for April shows $1.7 million dedicated to the Educational Trust Fund, the casino’s share for the month totaled $1.15 million, $245,608 was dedicated to the horseracing purse account, while local impact grants totaled just under $193,000. Year-to-date, the Casino at Ocean Downs has generated just under $13 million after four months.

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Commissioners are accepting applications now through May 27 to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education (BOE).

Long-time Board of Education member Garry Mumford resigned last month after being promoted to warden of the Worcester County Jail following Ira “Buck” Shockley’s retirement.

Interested parties are asked to submit a resume along with a cover letter identifying their interest in filling the District 2 vacancy on the BOE. Applications should be mailed to the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Room 1103, Snow Hill, Md. 21863, attention Commission President James C. “Bud” Church.

Upon receipt of the applications, the County Commissioners will schedule interviews with selected candidates to choose a replacement who will serve the remainder of the current term, which expires Dec. 31, 2012. The successful candidate would then have to seek another term for his or her seat in a county election.

SALISBURY -- Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton, Jr. this week announced the city has received over $59,000 in rebates from Delmarva Power through its Commercial and Industrial Energy Savings Program.

The rebate, which totaled $59,235, offsets the cost of improvements made to the Paleo Water Treatment Plant as part of the Salisbury Potable Water Storage Tank project. During the project, the city installed two pumps with energy efficient motors, seven variable frequency drives to control the motors of the distribution pumps and two well pumps. In addition, a new HVAC system was installed.

“The public works department has taken several steps to become environmentally sustainable and to lower our carbon footprint,” said Salisbury Public Works Director Teresa Gardner. “Through the installation of green infrastructure, from converting our parking garage and traffic lights to LED bulbs to the recent upgrades at the Paleo Water Treatment Plant, we are able to both save the taxpayers money and protect the environment. These rebates show our efforts are paying off.”

SALISBURY -- Salisbury University’s Business, Economic and Community Outreach Network (BEACON) recently completed an economic impact study for the Wicomico Public Library and determined its total annual impact comes in at just over $24 million.

The BEACON study concluded Wicomico’s public library system generates $3.57 million in operations each year, but the value for the library’s patrons comes in at $20.56 million, resulting in a total annual impact of $24.1 million.

The project was conducted as part of a regional study that also included Worcester and Somerset counties. The value of the library to the local area was estimated in terms of the economic impact from operations and the value patrons receive from library services.

The study shows the public library is worth more to Wicomico County than simply its cost of operations. Its daily expenditures and employee payroll spending have a greater impact. In addition, when community members use the library’s free services, they save money that is spent elsewhere in the economy.