Part of the original pitch to develop the MGM National Harbor Casino in Maryland was that the local community would receive impact funds to gain support for the project in the community.

The property eventually got the green light and opened for business in December 2016. Some people claim they’ve never gotten sufficient access to this money, and a local county councilman is taking the matter into his own hands.

locals are not happy with how the officials are distributing the funds

While MGM Resorts International has dutifully made the annual payments to the county government, locals are not happy with how the officials are distributing the funds.

Prince George’s County Council Vice Chair Edward Burroughs claimed the money is flowing to maintain basic government services countywide rather than providing extra resources for the people in the six-mile radius around the casino.

That’s why Burroughs developed a plan for directly spending $9.7m in impact funds in District 8, with funds going towards programs like youth employment, veteran assistance, and senior citizen support.

A council committee greenlit the plan, and the final decision on the matter will come down to a vote after a public hearing in February. Hundreds of locals plan to air their opinions at the hearing.