Allegany Eyes Casino Revenue As Scholarship Source

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) -- Allegany County wants to put casino revenue to work, sending local residents to college.

The county commissioners are considering a plan Thursday to fund scholarships with some of the money from a state tax on Rocky Gap Casino gambling proceeds.

The county says it expects to receive about $700,000 from the tax this fiscal year. Forty-five percent of that money, or about $315,000, would be used for scholarships to the local community college, Allegany College of Maryland.

Another 25 percent, or about $175,000, would fund scholarships to nearby Frostburg State University.

The commissioners say they want to boost the county's education level. Just 16 percent of county residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. That puts Allegany County 22nd among the 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore city.

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