County extends tax breaks for Blair parcels

Commissioners grant resolutions for undeveloped areas

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Blair County commissioners have endorsed resolutions extending the availability of tax breaks through December 2030 for undeveloped parcels in two locations.

Commissioners Laura Burke and Amy Webster, who approved the resolutions Tuesday, said it's a way to keep trying to attract development to the undeveloped parcels.

"We don't want to shut off that opportunity," Webster said.

"If we don't do it, there may be no chance of development," Burke said after the meeting.

Matt Fox, Altoona Blair County Development Corp. director of business expansion, said the affected properties -- all vacant -- are located around the former Bon Secours hospital area in Altoona and within the Martin J. Marasco Business Park in Claysburg.

Based on prior resolutions county commissioners adopted in 2013 and later amended, the parcels are part of a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone or Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone.

Under the original 2013 resolution lasting 10 years, the undeveloped parcels are scheduled to be returned to the tax rolls as of Jan. 1, 2024.

Based on the resolution commissioners approved Tuesday, the county, other local taxing bodies and state are in agreement that once an occupancy permit is issued for the identified KOEZ/KOIZ vacant parcels, then no real estate or state taxes are to be collected through December 2030 when the program ends, Fox said.

"Once (something) is built, then it's off the tax rolls through December 2030," he said.

County solicitor Nathan Karn said the resolution reflects changes the state made to the KOEZ/KOIZ program, which should be beneficial to the county.

Because of the changes, the county can collect real estate taxes from the parcel owners until an occupancy permit is issued.

Burke said she agreed with Karn's conclusion but cautioned that the county's revenue from vacant parcels won't be substantial.

Burke also asked Fox if the parcels in the Marasco business park are still considered blight, a reference to a description in the earlier resolution.

Fox, who said ABCD owns the parcels in the park, said the description reflects the lack of prior development on those parcels.

Commissioner Bruce Erb was absent from Tuesday's meeting where his fellow commissioners considered and took action on the resolutions.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.