State Keystone Opportunity Zone Information
(Source: Department of Community & Economic Development, January 2003 “KOZ/KOEZ Four-Year Report.” Pg. 41)
The Pennsylvania Keystone Opportunity Zone Program provides state and local tax abatement to businesses and residents locating in one of the 12 designated zones.
Information about the KOZ program is available through websites from the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Revenue. Both sites offer a wealth of information that can be accessed by the general public, as well as prospective residents or business owners thinking of locating in a zone. In addition to these state-level websites, a number of the individual zones have also developed websites to better market the KOZ program and the properties contained in the zone.
The Department of Community and Economic Development website offers an explanation of the KOZ/KOEZ program. Website visitors can access the enabling legislation for the KOZ, read success stories on the job creation and job retention activity within the zones, and there is capacity available to obtain more information about each zone in order to better match the client’s needs with a particular zone. The site also provides links to each individual zone’s website.
The Department of Revenue’s KOZ site also offers a background explanation of KOZ. There is detailed information, including frequently asked tax questions on the benefits of living in a KOZ, the effects of a KOZ on business owners, and the benefits to property owners within a KOZ. Forms for obtaining tax abatement and instructions for corporate tax filing are also available on the site.
Johnstown’s KOZs
Cypress Avenue School
Located in the historical residential neighborhood of Moxham, this site is zoned R-2 (Residential). The level 1.1-acre site is accessible by Route 756. Environmental issues have been addressed and remediated. All utilities are present.
Coopersdale School
This 1.8-acre property is located in a residential neighborhood in the Coopersdale section of the City of Johnstown. Route 403, a major link to Route 22, is easily accessible from this site. The site is zoned Residential, however; rezoning to Commercial would be considered. All utilities are present.
CSX Freight Yard
This 1.5-acre property is located within the Hornerstown Industrial Park. The site is adjacent to an existing railroad right-of-way, rail transportation, and has easy access to Routes 56 and 403. This site is zoned Heavy Industrial and is located within the City of Johnstown’s Enterprise Zone. All utilities are available to the site frontage.
Hudson Street School
This 1.0-acre site is located three blocks from the Central Business District and is ideal for a neighborhood commercial site. The site is zoned Residential and is within the City of Johnstown’s Enterprise Zone. All utilities are present.
Flood City Brass & Electric
This 0.7-acre property was cleared of environmental liability through the PA Act 2 program and recently sold to a small business-owner as the new home for a construction and cabinetry company.
Johnstown Planing Mill
The Johnstown Planing Mill is strategically located on heavily traveled Horner Street in the Hornerstown Industrial Park. Rail and truck access and all utilities are available at this site with Industrial Zoning. This property is also located within the City’s Enterprise Zone!
Rosedale
This flat 15-acre site is adjacent to the Cambria Iron Lower Works Complex. In its industrial past this site was used for storage. It is zoned Heavy Industrial and is in the City of Johnstown’s Enterprise Zone. Utilities are in proximity, however extensions are required.
Triangle Brick Yard
This 28.5-acre site is adjacent to Route 403 and rail lines, however; the access road needs improvements. It is zoned Heavy Industrial and qualifies for low-interest financing. All utilities are present.