SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday that extends the terms of applicable benefits within a specified area of the county, Lafferty Hollow Industrial Park, that is a Keystone Opportunity Economic Zone, which expires in 2020.
Currently, the county and Bradford Area School District have approved this move to preserve the KOEZ and extend the term of extensions, deductions, abatements and credits for real property, earned income tax, net profits, mercantile and business privilege taxes within this area in order to foster economic opportunities, stimulate industrial, commercial and residential improvements and prevent physical and infrastructure deterioration.
Foster Township has not yet approved this extension.
Norm Strotman, chairman of the Bradford Economic Development Corporation, and Sara Andrews and Anita Dolan of the Bradford Office of Economic and Community Development, along with Carolyn Boser Newhouse, executive director of the Bradford Alliance, attended this meeting to support extension of the terms of the KOEZ.
The Bradford City Water Authority has written a letter of support.
“The focus is on the retention and addition of jobs,” Strotman said.
The industrial park covers about 300 acres, of which 150 are already developed and 50 more are site-ready. “It’s hard to attract business without sites ready,” Andrews said.
“Six or seven lots are located in hilly areas, which could require significant investment and addition funding,” said Strotman after the meeting.
“These KOZs are found throughout the state so if we don’t get this benefit, others will. This is an investment into our future.”
In an effort to correct some public misinformation about the water supply, Andrews noted there is adequate water at the park, saying, “There is sufficient water for normal factory type businesses.”
Strotman said that all approvals must be received by Oct. 1. The request is then forwarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for consideration.
In another matter, commissioners agreed to advertise a proposed ordinance approving the intergovernmental cooperation agreement to authorize a single primary contractor agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for the Healthchoices Behavioral Health Program. The agreement would be on behalf of the county and the other counties identified in the intergovernmental cooperation agreement and would authorize a single primary contractor to enter into a contract with a behavioral health managed care organization.
Also, this agreement would provide for and authorize the proper officers of the county to proceed with the necessary steps with this ordinance.
BHARP’s goal is to ensure that all those individuals receiving behavioral services in the 23 counties have access to a variety of high quality and cost-effective, community-based services designed to maximize the potential for recovery.
Commissioner Cliff Lane announced that the commissioners could hold a special meeting prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 8.
Commissioners OKd two application for County Aid. They were Eldred Township, $6,574, and Otto Township, $4,156. Both amounts are to be encumbered for future projects.
Two sales from the Mckean County Repository, both in Kane and submitted by Angelia Tennies, chief assessor, were OKd. Daniel and Mary Beth Chapman submitted the successful quote of $310 for a .120-acre parcel at 323 Moffitt Ave. Michael Merry’s quote of $250 was accepted for the parcel of .130-acre on Commons Alley.
Also gaining approval were two requests for tax exempt status. One is from the Norwich Township Volunteer Firemen’s Association in Crosby with an assessed value of $4,800. The other is from the New Beginnings Assembly of God Inc. at 6764 Route 321, Kane, based on religious exemption for office and classroom spaces. The assessed value is $39,690.
