I know what it feels like when our borough is left behind," said Alex Porco, a committee member appointed by state Sen. Nathalia Fernandez, who voted for the project. "This project will finally mean self-sufficiency for the Bronx.
During its Sept. 10 meeting the six-member committee compiled and approved the list, which asked Bally's to increase its annual $10 million community investment by a minimum of $7.5 million, with a long list of specific groups and initiatives that it wants the casino to fund, specific hiring practices, transparency procedures and commitments to public safety. Bally's committed to increasing its annual contributions to its "Community Benefit Fund" to $12.5 million, the Bronx Times has learned.