Central Pennsylvania's Resource for Corporate Location and Expansion Decisions
Local Incentives and Resources
Pennsylvania offers a variety of tax incentives, credits and programs to eligible projects that contribute to smart economic growth. Focus Central PA will work with your project team to connect with local, regional and state incentives and resources that can provide value for long term success.
Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA): LERTA was established to allow local taxing bodies to give temporary tax breaks on the added value of renovated or newly built commercial and industrial properties. The exemption usually requires agreement from all local taxing authorities to include the municipality, county, and school district. Property owners must formally present, apply and receive approval before or during construction.
SEDA-COG's Brownfield Grants and Programs: SEDA-COG has a contract with Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) to support their $1,500,000 EPA Coalition Grant. This grant can be used to complete potential brownfield property “assessments” such as a Phase I, Phase II. Then SEDA-COG also has a low interest Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) for environmental remediation through the EPA Brownfields Program, they can provide loans up to $500,000. The SEDA-COG region includes Perry, Juniata, Mifflin, Snyder, Union, Northumberland (Sunbury), Columbia, Montour, Centre, Clinton, and Lycoming. Brownfields Program - SEDA Council of Governments - Even if a property owner is not sure they want to pursue a brownfield program or grant, the contracted QEPs are also available to consultant and review property information to discuss ideas or suggestions on next steps.
Advance Central PA, the central region’s Workforce Investment Board (WIB), offers a comprehensive selection of solutions to help companies maximize the positive impact of their workforce with improved productivity, efficiency, and performance. Advance Central PA manages the PA CareerLink® system across the nine-county region with a focus on service to employers and relevance to industry. Services include On-The-Job Training, Incumbent Worker Training, Apprenticeships, Wage Surveys, WorkKeys®, Industry Partnerships and more.
The PPL Electric Business Energy Efficiency Program aims to help businesses reduce energy usage and costs through various incentives and resources. It provides financial incentives for implementing energy-efficient upgrades and improvements, such as lighting retrofits, and energy-efficient equipment installations. Additionally, the program offers technical assistance, rebates, and educational resources to support businesses in identifying and implementing energy-saving measures. Learn more here, or reach out to PPLBusiness@clearesult.com.
SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) offers support services to businesses, communities and residents to enhance the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG is an Area Loan Organization and a Certified Development Corporation operating in Central Pennsylvania that offers small businesses access to State and Federal loans including the SBA 504 Program. SEDA-COG also offers export and procurement support services.
Local Chambers of Commerce are associations that promote and protect the interests of the business community, provide valuable business to business networking and work to promote the well-being and growth of commerce, business and industry, while striving to make there local communities a great place to live, work and conduct business.
Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County
Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce
Central PA Chamber of Commerce
Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) provides consulting services and business training to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their small business. Serving Central Pennsylvania are the Penn State SBDC, Bucknell SBDC, and the Wilkes University SBDC.
Innovative Manufacturers Center (IMC) is a public-private partnership dedicated to increasing Central Pennsylvania’s manufacturing community through innovation, productivity and profitable growth to drive economic impact. IMC offers a wide range of services including business growth and continuous improvement designed to help Central Pennsylvania manufacturers innovate and thrive.
The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) at Penn State is a federal, state, and University partnership to stimulate statewide economic development. PennTAPs statewide network of expert technical advisors focuses on helping Pennsylvania businesses through three primary areas of service: Energy and operational assessments, energy grants and rebates, and university engagement. Over the past five years, PennTAP has helped businesses reduce their energy costs by more than $8.6 million using these tools.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners, a national leader in technology-based economic development provides critical funding, business and technical expertise, and access to a network of valuable resources that early-stage and established companies need to grow and succeed in the highly competitive worldwide marketplace. As a statewide initiative, Ben Franklin also leverages the excellence of Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities and promotes greater collaboration among companies, academia, private investors, and government to build and development technology-based industries. Serving Central Pennsylvania are the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA.
Central PA offers a significant innovation ecosystem including several Innovation Hubs, Coworking and Maker Spaces.
Happy Valley LaunchBox; Bellefonte SpringBoard; Mifflin and Juniata County Entrepreneurial Meet-Up; The Rivet Makerspace; StartUp Lewisburg; and StartUp Danville
State Incentives and Resources
Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program (PA SITES): $500 million in site development funding to strengthen Pennsylvania's inventory of pad-ready sites. The funding is to provide grants and loans to eligible applicants to develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within the Commonwealth. The funding for the program includes two components that support the development of competitive sites within the Commonwealth: Planning Grants and Construction Grants and Loans.
BusinessPA: Pennsylvania Partnering with Business to Get it Done. Whether you’re looking to expand your existing operation in Pennsylvania, or set up shop here for the first time, the BusinessPA team, formerly known as the Governor’s Action Team (GAT), are here to help. Learn more about the world-class programs and resources that the BusinessPA team has available to help your business achieve success in the Commonwealth. The BusinessPA team is ready to help you implement your business growth strategy.
PA Site Search, BusinessPA's, recently revamped website is designed to streamline the property search process to make it more efficient and current. Browse an inventory of available sites and buildings through Pennsylvania from shovel-ready to redevelopment, and sites of all shapes and sizes.
NSites is Norfolk Southern's Innovative Industrial Site Search Engine, it is a GIS-based search engine to help businesses easily find rail-served industrial sites and transload facilities that meet their needs.
The Pennsylvania Office of Transformation & Opportunity (OTO) provides inter-agency coordination and transparency for project sponsors and the public alike. One of their tools is the PA Permit Fast Track Program, that streamlines permitting for high-impact economic development and infrastructure projects in Pennsylvania that require multiple permits from different Commonwealth agencies. Getting Stuff Done: DEP Reduces Permit Backlog by 88% and Has Already Reviewed More Than 9,000 Permits This Year.
The BusinessPA newsletter delivers updates on the latest wins, funding opportunities, resources, and insider insights that make the Commonwealth a smart choice for business. Bonus: You’ll get the inside scoop on PA’s powerful tax advantages sent right to your inbox when you sign up (some might surprise you)! Don’t miss out, subscribe now.
Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) that assists energy users in overcoming educational, financial, and regulatory barriers to a sustainable energy future: a future in which energy is harvested, converted, distributed, and utilized in a manner that allows all to meet their energy needs now without compromising the ability of their children and grandchildren to meet their needs.
Investments in Caring PA is Pennsylvania’s resource for employers to assist their employees in finding access to quality care. This toolkit provides information for businesses, industries, and communities of all sizes to support working families to identify new or expanded ways to strengthen workforce and bottom lines.
Federal Incentives & Resources
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC): ARC uses congressionally appropriated funds to invest in the Region’s economic and community development through grants. ARC is a federal-state partnership and the grant application process begins at the state government level. SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-Cog) administers ARC funds for the Central Region in Pennsylvania.
USDA Rural Development supports rural prosperity in Pennsylvania by investing in modern infrastructure such as high-speed internet and water and waste treatment systems. Many programs are available including technical assistance for small business owners and entrepreneurs; programs for businesses and manufacturers to support expansion and improvements; energy programs that finance renewable systems for agriculture and industry and much more.
Popular Pennsylvania Incentive Programs
Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ): The Keystone Opportunity Zones are a premier tax incentive providing companies and investors a unique opportunity to develop land with greatly reduced or eliminated state and local taxes for a certain period of time. These zones are a result of state and local taxing bodies, school districts, economic development agencies and community-based organizations identifying areas they want to attract investment and development too.
Pennsylvania - PA First Program: PA First is a comprehensive funding tool (grants, loans, loan guarantees) to facilitate increased investment and job creation within the commonwealth.
Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA): Provides low-interest loans and lines of credit for eligible businesses that commit to creating and retaining full-time jobs and for the development of industrial parks and multi-tenant facilities.
Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP): Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
Manufacturing Tax Credit Program (MTC): MTC program provides tax credits to taxpayers who increase their annual taxable payroll by $1,000,000 through the creation of new full-time jobs.
Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA): This program provides grant funding to qualified employers training for new and existing employees. The training allows companies to stay competitive while keeping employee skills current and relevant.
Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE): The Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE) provides grants to construct the last few miles of natural gas distribution lines to business parks, existing manufacturing and industrial enterprises. The maximum grant amount of any Pipeline Investment Program project shall not exceed $1.5 million or 50% of the total project costs, whichever is less.
Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP): provides financial assistance for investment in rail freight infrastructure. The intent of the program is to: preserve essential rail freight service where economically feasible, and preserve or stimulate economic development through the generation of new or expanded rail freight service. The maximum state funding for a RFAP project is 70 percent of the total project costs, not to exceed $700,000.
Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP): Also known as Capital Budget, is available to applicants with a line item(s) in a Capital Budget Act. Applicants should contact their state representative or state senator to obtain a line item for their project. The maximum state funding for a RTAP project is 70 percent of the total project costs, not to exceed the amount of the line item.
BusinessPA
BusinessPA, formerly known as the Governor's Action Team (GAT), recently revamped the PA Site Search website, designed to streamline property search process to make it more efficient and current. Browse an inventory of available sites and buildings through Pennsylvania, from shovel-ready to redevelopment, and sites of all shapes and sizes.
The BusinessPA newsletter delivers updates on the latest wins, funding opportunities, resources, and insider insights that make the Commonwealth a smart choice for business. Bonus: You'll get the inside scoop on PA's powerful tax advantages sent right to your inbox when you sign up (some might surprise you)! Don't miss out, subscribe now.
Industrial Development Forums
Past IDFs
On Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022 320 attendees including planners, investors, builders, community leaders and resource partners came together for the region's forward-thinking economic growth event. IDF infused innovation, problem solving and collaboration to accomplish the mission to attract investment that cultivates economic growth in Central PA! Working together to support smart growth of investments that Win in the Marketplace, Win in the Workplace and Win in their Communities! By the numbers: 350 - Registered attendees; 2 - Keynote Presentations; 3 - Expert Panel Presentations; 28 - Exhibitors; 24 - Central PA Investment Projects Recognized; $7.6 Billion - Total of 24 investment project recognized.
Keynote Presentation: Economics Impacting Industrial Development
Keynote Presentation: Real Estate and Site Selection Post Pandemic Part 1 | Part 2
Investment Project Highlights - 24 Projects Over $7.6 Billion Part 1 | Part 2
Focus Central PA Industrial Development Forum - IDF 2022 (YouTube)
On Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 Focus Central PA hosted a live online forum from 8am to 2pm from MYNDDSET's studio in Danville, PA. The live online event brought together over 200 individuals that have a passion and interest in industrial and smart economic growth in Central Pennsylvania. The forum celebrated investment successes; elevated the importance and details behind attracting and supporting quality investments; and engaged all that participated in generating ideas on how to increase capacity to drive smart economic growth in Central PA.
Keynote Presentation: Shell Appalachia's Investment Part 1 | Part 2
Keynote Presentation: State of Industrial Real Estate in Northeast USA
Focus Central Pennsylvania hosted their first Industrial Development Forum on Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 at Bucknell University, Elaine Langone Center at 700 Moore Ave, Lewisburg PA. Over 140 attendees were immersed in the topic of industrial development from economics to infrastructure to corporate investment. The forum was made possible by sponsors, speakers and panelists that provided valuable content and actionable information.
Keynote presentation: Economic Conditions: The Nation, Pennsylvania, and the Region
Keynote presentation: Real Estate Market Overview & Industry Site Selection