BOWLING GREEN, OH (Toledo News Now) – Wood County residents will start to see more orange barrels and they have the Hollywood Casino to thank.
Wood County is ready to cash in on Ohio's casino revenue. The county will receive $110,000. Commissioners want to put that money where people will benefit the most: road improvement projects.
"We are the seventh largest county in the state geographically. We have a lot more roads and a lot more bridges," said Tim Brown, Wood County commissioner.
Wood County commissioners announced they will receive the money as part of a tax on the state's casino revenue giving counties 51 percent of the funds. It all amounts to $110,000.
"We have a disproportionately higher number of road miles and bridge miles than most other counties and that state gas tax doesn't allow us to keep up," explained Brown.
With state funding for local governments decreasing, this new revenue will help supplement the county engineers budget. The money is expected to jumpstart construction.
"On average, I can replace about five bridges per year," said Wood County Engineer Raymond A. Huber.
That is a very small amount compared to the 44 in need of repair. Commissioners wanted to focus on road improvement because it benefits the majority of citizens.
The funds will be allocated every quarter and commissioners will decide each time where the money should go. Once the remaining Ohio casinos open, the money is expected to increase.
"For 2013, the amount could be $400,000," said Brown.
