A Seat At A Table Of Their Own
Prince George’s County Council approves $9.7 Million MGM Local Impact Grant To Help District 8 Residents
Residents may have earned a winning hand through a grant from the MGM National Harbor Local Impact Grant. A community support grant initiative put forward by County Council Vice Chair Edward Burroughs III (D-District 8) will provide nearly $10 million in community aid to District 8 residents.
The funding plan, crafted by Burroughs (D-District 8), benefits the residents of his district; with a distinct focus on students and seniors. It is designed to address critical needs while uplifting vulnerable populations. It builds a stronger and healthier community through support for senior citizens, youth employment, workforce development, health equity, veteran support, and more. The Committee as a whole, favorably recommended the resolution. [See Burroughs’ video interview with Prince George’s Suite regarding the plan in “Reaching For The Promise”]
On Tuesday, February 18, the County Council adopted CR-005-2025; a resolution allocating $9.7 million in grant funding annually, for the next three years, from the MGM National Harbor Local Impact Grant.
At Tuesday’s public hearing, dozens of community members advocated for the funding, including students who participate in the District 8 Youth Leadership Academy, funded in part by the Local Impact Grant. The grant will cover a range of services from aiding seniors to rental assistance, youth employment and development. These are all penchant issues of Burroughs’ office.
“We’re going to restore the integrity of this fund, and these residents will get what they deserve,” Vice Chair Burroughs said.
Burroughs has passionately addressed his concern that the MGM National Harbor venue originally agreed to direct funds to the district but that those funds were diverted over the years to other areas [see video]. Now, more than $2 million will be invested in youth jobs, and internships for young people ages 14 to 24.
On Tuesday, January 28, Vice Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) presented a plan to the County Council; sitting with the Committee as a whole, to allocate $9.7 million in funding annually, for the next three years, through the MGM National Harbor Local Impact Grant. The spending plan tied to CR-005-2025, is designed to address critical needs while uplifting vulnerable populations; and building a stronger and healthier community through support for senior citizens, youth employment, workforce development, health equity, veteran support, and more.
The spending proposal allocates $4.25 million annually to provide housing stability, recreational opportunities, and educational workshops for more than 3,000 seniors. It also calls for a $2 million investment in the Joan’s House Youth Jobs and Apprenticeship Program; which will provide year-round job opportunities and training for young people, ages 14-24; in industries including law, nonprofit, healthcare, IT, skilled trades, and hospitality.
“This plan focuses directly on investing in programs and initiatives that uplift residents. It provides meaningful opportunities, particularly in District 8,” Vice Chair Burroughs told his colleagues on Tuesday. “We’ve done our very best to craft a plan that lives up to what the MGM and the county government promised the local residents when it passed.”
