The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is returning $4,500 in liquor license fees to municipalities in McKean, Potter and Elk counties.
Municipal officials are able to use the money for local needs. Two times a year, the PLCB returns liquor license fees paid by PLCB-approved licensees to municipalities.
Across the region, McKean County will receive a total of $1,400. Broken down, Bradford will see $100 being returned; Eldred, $300; Kane, $200; Port Allegany, $200; Foster Township, $400; and Lafayette Township, $200.
Potter County will receive $1,600 with Austin getting $150; Coudersport, $200; Galeton, $50; Shinglehouse, $150; Abbott Township, $150; Eulalia Township, $150; Pike Township, $300; Portage Township, $150; Summit Township, $150; and West Branch Township, $150.
Elk County will receive $1,550. St. Marys will garner $600; Johnsonburg, $200; Ridgway, $400; Fox Township, $50; Jones Township, $100; and Ridgway Township, $200.
Overall, 50 cities, 456 boroughs and 717 townships will receive payments ranging from $10 to $894,000, representing fees paid from Aug. 1, 2017, to Jan. 31. Over the last five years, the PLCB returned $24.6 million in licensing fees to municipalities.
All told, the PLCB said the return equates to nearly $2.2 million in licensing fees to 1,223 municipalities. Licensees pay liquor license fees ranging from $125 to $700, depending on the kind of license and the municipality’s population.
The board oversees the regulation of more than 15,000 retail liquor licenses statewide, including restaurants, clubs and hotels. The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide and licenses more than 20,000 beverage alcohol producers and retailers.
Some municipal officials across the region did not immediately return an email to The Era seeking comment for this story.
For more information about the PLCB, ee www.lcb.pa.gov.
