Washington County Gaming Commission Allocates Over $2.3 Million to Fire and Rescue Services and Local Charities

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Washington County Gaming Commission allocates over $2.3M to fire, rescue, and 54 local charities for FY26.

The Washington County Gaming Commission has announced the distribution of over $2.3 million in gaming funds for fiscal year 2026. This significant allocation will benefit both the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association and 54 local charitable organizations, marking an increase in available funding compared to the previous fiscal year. The total gaming fund for fiscal year 2026, which concluded on June 30, amounted to $2,367,846.22, representing a rise of $20,437.33 from fiscal year 2025 revenues.

According to state law, these gaming funds are to be divided equally between the Washington County Fire and Rescue Association and other local charitable entities. The Washington County Fire and Rescue Association has already received an initial distribution of 526,871.91 in January. As of the announcement, an additional 657,051.20 is being distributed, bringing the total annual support for fire and rescue services to $1,183,923.11.

The commission received a total of 89 eligible applications from 74 charitable organizations seeking 3,025,527.41 in funding during April. Following a gaming hearing and a workshop held in June, the commission was able to provide either partial or full funding to 58 of the submitted requests. Specifically, 38 organizations received the full amount they requested, while 20 were granted partial funding. Thirty-one applications were ultimately denied. In total, 1,183,923.11 from the 2026 gaming funds, along with $1,850 in reallocated funds from 2025, were awarded to these 58 charitable organizations.

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Among the local charities receiving substantial support, the Washington Community Action Council and the Walnut Street Community Health Center were each awarded $100,000. Additionally, R.E.A.C.H of Washington County received an allocation of $75,000. These awards are part of a broader effort to support a variety of community needs through the gaming fund.