New York State Assemblyman Tom Alfano and State Senator Dean Skelos announced that they helped secure $5 million in funding for use by communities that are affected by Belmont Park.

The $5 million funding, which is for communities that are considered host to Belmont Park, are part of the state budget and according to Skelos, will help reduce taxes, improve schools and promote economic development and community revitalization. "This was a long, rough process to ensure that the Belmont Park communities were treated fairly. I'm grateful that the community stood by us during this fight and this victory clearly demonstrates that the fight was worth it," Skelos said.

Alfano pointed out that this is the first time in history that "the state has recognized that the Elmont community, as the host for Belmont racetrack, is entitled to substantial state assistance to the tune of some $5 million. We will not abandon our fight to see that Belmont is treated equally to Aqueduct and eventually gets video lottery terminals (VLTs)."

Under the terms of the agreement, Elmont, Floral Park, Bellerose Terrace, Bellerose Village, South Floral Park and Nassau County will be eligible to apply to New York State for compensation necessary to reimburse property taxpayers for costs associated with Belmont racetrack.

Municipalities as well as school districts will be eligible to apply and applications would then be considered by the franchise oversight board, a state-level entity that is charged with overseeing the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and NYRA's management of thoroughbred racetracks including Belmont.

Grants must be designed to reduce or eliminate additional burdens placed by communities as a result of Belmont Park. Such expenses may include police, fire and other public safety costs, improvement and beautification of nearby roadways and the added costs borne by local school districts. "The positive thing about it is should help all of these communities in terms of their real property taxes," said Skelos. "The school districts, whether it's Elmont or the Sewanhaka Central High School District, they all have additional costs because of the kids who live on the track itself. They would be able to make application for funding from the [franchise oversight] board."

The $5 million appropriation will become available as soon as the state franchise oversight board approves $50 million in real estate development projects at Belmont Park.

Alfano and Skelos believe securing $5 million is a good first step for the communities around Belmont Park. They have not, however, given up on the idea of eventually getting video lottery terminals (VLTs) at Belmont such as the ones that will be opening in Aqueduct.

Even without the VLTs, the $5 million essentially takes the place of some of the revenue that would be coming in through VLTs. "Elmont and neighboring communities are being treated the same as other host communities even though they do not have VLTs at this time. That's a huge win," said Skelos, who estimates the funding should be available in about a year. "We're being treated the same as Aqueduct and now we're going to move forward and try to get VLTs because if you do get VLTs, host community money really increases dramatically and there will that much more funding for police protection, economic development and for the reduction of property taxes. This can be substantial real property tax reduction not just for Elmont, but for Floral Park and Bellerose."

Alfano called securing the funding groundbreaking since host community funding had only been attached to VLTs. "Our next job is to promote economic development, create jobs and bring new business to the Elmont and Floral Park communities," he said. "By expanding the tax base and having this funding available, we've set the state for making Belmont a destination point and an economic engine for Elmont."

- Joe Rizza