Manor Township Exploring LERTA Designation
Manor Township supervisors hope to stimulate growth in the community by possibly instituting a LERTA tax abatement ordinance. They will seek further input from County Planning and Development Executive Director Rich Palilla.
by Jonathan Weaver
Manor Township supervisors hope that a new tax abatement program might give homeowners or businesses another reason to move into the community.
Supervisors unanimously voted to continue the process to implement a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) designation.
Supervisor Paul Rearick revisited the conversation with supervisors.
“I feel it would stimulate growth in the township,” Rearick said. “I’m in favor of doing it township-wide, and to include commercial and residential properties – anybody who wants to do some improvement to their home.
“A lot of people say it’s cost-prohibitive because once they do that, taxes go up. They will eventually with the assessment, but it won’t be up totally for 10 years. It’ll be a little bit at a time.”
LERTA programs differ from a Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) – like the ones found in the Manor Township Business Park along Route 66 and in the area surrounding the new Armstrong Junior-Senior High School on Buffington Road.
According to the County Industrial Development Council, KOZ areas offer completely-abated taxes for up to 10 years, allowing businesses to invest more into their own operations.
But, according to State legislation passed in 1977, a LERTA program allows for tax abatements to those starting new construction or making building improvements for up to 10 years on a graduating basis (such as an added 10 percent each year depending on the ordinance approved).
Supervisor Chair Jim McGinnis and Supervisor Pat Fabian also approved of the possibility. McGinnis recalled two possible housing developments that offered LERTA tax abatements.
The tax abatement designation would also require a public hearing for questions or comments and would have to be approved by Armstrong School District school board directors.
Parker City, areas of Rayburn Township, a portion of the Northpointe Industrial Park and the Parks Bend Farms Industrial Park in Leechburg are all other examples of LERTA properties in Armstrong County.
Rearick is to follow-up with County Planning and Development Executive Director Rich Palilla about the designation.
Trick-or-treating will be available to children from 6-8PM Wednesday, October 28.
Manor Township | jweaver October 8, 2015
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