The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has reported record sales for the year totaling nearly $770 million in contributions to state and local governments and other beneficiaries.

A news release issued Wednesday by the board touted record retail sales and net income for fiscal year 2018-2019, which goes from August 2018 through July 2019. PLCB regulates the distribution alcoholic beverages in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide and licenses more than 20,000 alcoholic beverage producers and retailers.

Overall sales totaled $2.67 billion, including liquor sales and sales taxes, according to PLCB. The amount represents a 2.9 percent increase of $75.2 million over the previous year, which saw record sales of $2.59 billion.

Contributions to state and local government beneficiaries totaled $769.9 million for the fiscal year, a more than $20 million increase over the $749.6 million distributed last year. Statewide, 56 cities, 551 boroughs and 772 townships across Pennsylvania benefited from the program.

Butler County saw $39,000 of the $770 million distributed this year to 30 municipalities, with the highest amount of $13,500 going to Cranberry Township. Other notable disbursements include Butler Township, which saw $5,900; Butler’s $3,750; and the $2,050 that went to Buffalo Township. Other amounts ranged from $50 to $1,800. Disbursements stem from fees paid between Feb. 1 and July 31.

Despite strong increases in operating profits and net income, PLCB pointed out its total net position remained in the negative by $1.1 billion due to unfunded pension, post-employment benefit and workers’ compensation liabilities shared by all commonwealth agencies.

PLCB also reported contributing more than $717 million to the state’s General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania’s schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement and public safety initiatives as well as other public services.

Additionally, PLCB authorized $1.8 million in grants this past year to support the state’s beer and wine industries, and awarded $1.1 million in alcohol education grants to reduce underage and dangerous drinking.