Redevelopment

Redevelopment Commission Meeting Minutes

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Keystone Opportunity Zone in the Red Lion Area

Tax Abatement Program

Loans for Facade Improvements

Strategic Plan for Redevelopment

KEYSTONE OPPORTUNITY ZONE
IN THE RED LION AREA

What is the Red Lion Area Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ)?

The Red Lion Area Keystone Opportunity Zones are specific areas with greatly reduced or no tax burden for property owners, residents and businesses. Our KOZ has been designated by Red Lion Borough, Windsor Township, York Township, York County, Red Lion Area School District and the Dallastown Area School District and approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Red Lion Area KOZ is a partnership between each community and region among state and the above local taxing bodies, school districts, economic development agencies and community-based organizations such as the Red Lion Area Business Association.

Over 5,500 new jobs have been created throughout Pennsylvania since the initial Keystone Opportunity Zone program began in 1999, and the number is growing rapidly. Recognizing the success of the KOZ program, Pennsylvania provided communities one more opportunity to take advantage of what Business Facilities magazine calls the Number 1 Economic Development Strategy in the nation, by creating Keystone Opportunity Zones. These KOZ's are modeled directly after the original program and mirror the same characteristics and benefits. The Red Lion Area seized this opportunity and is working aggressively to bring jobs and businesses to our community.

What are the tax benefits or incentives?

Binding ordinances and resolutions were passed granting the waiver, abatement or exemption of certain state and local taxes. Depending on the situation, the tax burden may be reduced to zero through exemptions, deductions, abatements, and credits for the following:

How long do these tax incentives last?

The above listed tax benefits will remain in place until December 31, 2013 after which they will expire.

 Where exactly is the Red Lion Area KOZ located?

The properties are contiguous via state routes 624 (West High Street – Springwood Road), 24 (North Main Street), and 74 (East Broadway). The sites are 1.2 miles apart and the acreage along the state roads is approximately 7 ½ acres (50’ right of way – 25’ from center of the road along 624 and 24 and a 60’ right of way – 30’ from the center of the road along 74).

Why designate a KOZ in Red Lion, PA?

Red Lion Borough, Windsor Township and York Township are the municipalities that make up the greater Red Lion area. Together, the residents of these three municipalities share far more than a "city" name or common zip code in our addresses. Our past, present and most importantly are futures are linked.

Red Lion Borough is the center of the greater Red Lion area. The Red Lion Borough Redevelopment Commission recognizes the contribution our immediate community makes to the larger area’s economy and overall quality of life. The borough is home to much of the area’s small industry and businesses, banks, churches, schools and community events. A healthy core is vital to the area’s overall health.

Equally important are the communities surrounding the borough. Members of the Red Lion Redevelopment Commission recognize that our community is not an island and that developments outside our municipal boundaries have a direct impact on the borough.

The following Keystone Opportunity Zone represents our shared interests and goals and a partnership to achieve our common objectives as one community. The Red Lion Borough Redevelopment Commission, as the lead partner drafted and submitted our successful application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Red Lion Borough, Windsor Township and York Township are the municipalities that make up the greater Red Lion area. Together, the residents of these three municipalities share far more than a "city" name or common zip code in our addresses. Our past, present and most importantly are futures are linked.

Red Lion Borough is the center of the greater Red Lion area. The Red Lion Borough Redevelopment Commission recognizes the contribution our immediate community makes to the larger area’s economy and overall quality of life. The borough is home to much of the area’s small industry and businesses, banks, churches, schools and community events. A healthy core is vital to the area’s overall health.

Equally important are the communities surrounding the borough. Commission members recognize that our community is not an island and that developments outside our municipal boundaries have a direct impact on the borough.

Today we are working in a collaborative partnership to aggressively recruit jobs, business and industry to our area. Working together is key to our community’s future health and tomorrow’s quality of living. We look forward to working with you in exploring the opportunities available to you and your business in the Red Lion Area Keystone Opportunity Zone.

Who do I contact to learn more about the Red Lion Area Keystone Opportunity Zone?

Please contact Dan Shaw, dshaw@redlionpa.org,  Red Lion Borough Zoning and Codes Enforcement Officer, at 717-244-3475. Our mailing address is Red Lion Borough, P.O. Box 190, Red Lion, PA 17356.  For information on the property located on East Broadway, contact David Keech at Rock Realty,  www.rockrealestate.net.  His telephone number is 717-854-5357, and his e-mail address is dkeech@rockrealestate.net, or you may contact, Craig Zumbrun, our KOZ Regional Administrator, at the South Central Assembly for Effective Governance, at 717-948-6324. Their mailing address is 777 West Harrisburg Pike, PA 17057 and Craig can be reached by email at WCZ2@psu.edu.

TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM AVAILABLE IN RED LION

Properties in the Industrial Zone, Commercial Zone, and the Borough Center Zone are eligible to participate in the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Law (LERTA) which authorizes local taxing authorities to provide for tax exemption for certain deteriorated industrial, commercial and other business properties.

Certain uses qualify for this tax abatement program which requires improvements be made to the property.  The percentage of additional assessment attributable to the improvements to the property exempted from real estate taxes is on a decreasing scale with 100% the first year, down to 10% in the tenth year.

Further information and applications are available through Stew at the Borough Office.

LOANS FOR FACADE IMPROVEMENTS:

Red Lion Redevelopment Commission Facade Improvement Loan
The Red Lion Redevelopment Commission has available no-interest loans for facade improvements to business properties in downtown Red Lion.   This program is designed to help revitalize downtown Red Lion as a business and commercial center.

Facade improvements are changes to the face or front on a building to improve its appearance and restore it to the period in which the building was constructed.  The no-interest loans are available for 50% of the facade improvement costs up to a maximum of $20,000.  The remaining 50% of the improvement costs may be obtained through the use of the owner's own resources or through a bank loan.   Repayment of the no-interest loan will be negotiated, but repayment need not begin until commercial facade improvement loans have been first satisfied.  A maximum of 5 years may be granted for repayment from the time the commercial loan is satisfied or from the time the no-interest loan is conveyed through this program if the owner's funds are used.

Requirements for Facade Improvement Funds include:

• Application form must be submitted for examination by the Red Lion Redevelopment Commission.

• Applicant must agree to retain the building's original period basic appearance.

• Plans and/or drawings showing the proposed facade improvement must be submitted before final approval by the Redevelopment Commission.

• If plans are approved, a firm cost must be submitted before the loan amount, repayment schedule and formal documents are finalized.

• Owner of the property must sign the application and all other necessary documents needed to complete the process.

• A monthly repayment schedule must be negotiated.

Red Lion Borough Council Facade Improvement Loan
Red Lion Borough Council also has a facade loan available for $7,500.  The program provides matching loans of up to $7,500, $2,500 of which is a grant.  The loan is interest free.  Contact Dan Shaw, dshaw@redlionpa.org, Red Lion Borough Zoning and Codes Enforcement Officer, 717-244-3475, for more information.

If you are interested, as a business owner, in obtaining a Facade Loan, please call Dan Shaw, dshaw@redlionpa.org  at the Borough Office, 717-244-3475.