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Promotional materials for the proposed data center coming to the Lewistown area promise millions of dollars in local tax revenue for our community. While new development sounds beneficial on paper, residents deserve clear and transparent facts about what will actually be paid into our local budget.
In Pennsylvania, state programs and local tax abatement agreements -- such as Keystone Opportunity Zones or LERTA exemptions -- frequently allow large developers to waive or significantly defer property taxes for up to ten years. A figure showing millions in potential taxes means very little if the actual payment in year one is reduced or exempted entirely.
Before our local governing bodies move forward, I believe the community needs answers to a simple question: How much will this proposed facility pay in actual property taxes in its first year of operation to Mifflin County, the school district, and our local municipality? Our local infrastructure and services will feel the impact of this facility from day one. I think residents deserve a full accounting of the net financial benefit before any tax relief or development agreements are finalized.
Duane Shelato
Lewistown