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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Blair County commissioners showed interest Tuesday in supporting creation of a state enterprise zone in select areas of the county.
The Altoona Blair County Development Corp. is proposing the zone to encourage economic development in Altoona, Logan Township and in Hollidaysburg, Tyrone, Williamsburg and Roaring Spring boroughs.
An existing enterprise zone designation for Altoona and Logan Township is expiring in June, ABCD Chief Financial Officer Tom Seasoltz told county commissioners Tuesday.
Rather than focusing only on those two municipalities, Seasoltz said the state Department of Community and Economic Development encouraged an expanded area.
The municipalities proposed for inclusion in the state enterprise zone, commissioners Chairman Bruce Erb said after Tuesday's meeting, are ones with zoning and opportunities for economic development.
"We've identified buildings and sites in those (municipalities) that are ripe for development," Seasoltz said.
When asked for an example of an improvement within an enterprise zone, Seasoltz mentioned Curry Realty's renovations to the former Vipond building on the 1400 block of 11th Avenue.
Those redevelopment efforts led into the company's partnership with Saint Francis University in Loretto, which uses portions of the building for its engineering and business programs.
Based on information available from the state DCED, those who pursue improvements inside an enterprise zone are eligible for low-interest loans. They also can receive preferences in some state grant and loan programs and may qualify for tax credits based on new construction and/or renovations to existing structures.
Commissioner Amy Webster asked about the program's effect on the county's tax base in light of tax credits. But Seasoltz explained that it won't affect the county's tax base because developments inside a state enterprise zone are eligible only for state tax credits.
"We just want your support," Seasoltz told the commissioners.
Municipalities proposed for inclusion in the state enterprise zone have already indicated their support, Seasoltz added.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.