To The Editor,
Earlier this summer, the Pennsylvania Legislature and I voted to re-open the Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) program. This is a 10-year tax abatement program applied to specific properties that will add significant tax incentives into our revitalization toolbox for the City of Coatesville. With this powerful tool, we can finally attract major, sustainable interest from investors and develop areas which have been neglected for far too long.
Working alongside the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance, I am fully behind the effort to secure the Keystone Opportunity Zone designation for our city. Since the program applies to local property taxes, it requires the support of the county, city and school district before it can proceed to the state for final approval. The Chester County Commissioners have recently signed onto the effort, and I am encouraging the Coatesville City Council and the Coatesville Area School Board to do the same. This is a great opportunity for leaders in our community to come together to support a significant step towards the revitalization of Coatesville.
Once our leaders have come together to endorse this important initiative, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the state government joins our cause and approves our application to designate a Keystone Opportunity Zone for our city!
I am proud of our community and I know that, together, we can make great things happen for Coatesville and all areas of the 74th District.
Harry Lewis, Jr.
State Representative
74th District.