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JBI: Tax incentives, reduced rates should attract new tenants

MIFFLINTOWN — When it comes to welcoming new tenants to the Juniata County Industrial Park in Mifflintown, Dane Walters certainly tries to roll out the red carpet.

Walters, who serves as the marketing director for Juniata Business and Industry Inc., offers tax incentives and reduced rates for older parcels to entice new businesses to set up shop in the industrial park.

“All of these lots, including those in the last phase include Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) tax credits through 2028,” Walters said. “That tax break is a good incentive, a big plus for buyers.”

The KOZ program allows businesses to be exempt from paying local real estate taxes and certain state taxes for a period of time, enabling them to get established.

“They have to keep records and file every year,” Walters said about securing the tax incentives. “Anything that is used on the property, such as office equipment, building materials, etc. can be claimed. The price to build a building or office can result in a sizable amount of savings.”

The industrial park sites are limited to buyers who plan to construct manufacturing or professional offices, including banking, medical or business.

“Jobs are the most important thing to me,” said Walter, who added bringing well-paying jobs to Juniata County is always a priority.

Currently, there are nine lots for sale in JBI’s development for the fourth phase as well as a total of 27 acres in the fifth phase.

The lots offer amenities such as water, sewage, telephone and fiberoptics on-site. “It’s pretty much everything they would need,” Walters explained.

Since the industrial park opened in 1973, 28 businesses employing more than 400 people have located there.

In August 2023, Walters said that only four lots remained from the fourth phase but several potential sales fell through due to delays in funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

He also mentioned that an older section of the industrial park – from the second phase – still has two lots available that are priced at the 1998 rate. Those lots are also eligible for incentives from the KOZ program.

“That could save a buyer tens of thousands of dollars,” Walter said. Although he added the lots would need excavating to make them suitable for development as the 6.8 acres are hilly and located in the back of the park.

“For the new phases, each lot is set at a different price, depending on the size and location,” Walters added. “I can review that and give anyone exact prices.”

For more information, contact Walters at (717) 994-2029 or jbi@jbi.org.

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