LASB votes to approve tax-incentive program to encourage residential and industrial redevelopment

Board hears about work programs for young adults with and without disadvantages

BY ANNE CLOONAN
STAFF REPORTER

Leechburg Area School District’s board of education Wednesday night voted to approve a five-year Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) program for Gilpin Township.

The tax abatement program would provide tax exemptions for people renovating existing residential or commercial properties, or building new ones, with a 100 percent exemption from school taxes the first year, 80 percent exemption during the second year, 60 percent exemption during the third year, 40 percent exemption during the fourth year and a 20 percent exemption during the last year of the abatement.

School Director Anthony Shea said school directors are hoping the tax incentive encourages new construction and improvements to properties.

School board President Neill Brady said the board wants to work with the Gilpin Township supervisors, who also enacted a LERTA ordinance.

Brady said the school board enacted a previous LERTA measure once since he joined the board 11 or 12 years ago.

One person, the owner of the Twisted Thistle Restaurant, took advantage of the last LERTA, conducting extensive renovations to the restaurant building, he said.

“It worked out good for the town and for the area,” he said.