MERCER COUNTY State officials OK expansions of Keystone Opportunity Zone

Companies in a KOZ get a break on all state and local taxes.
THE VINDICATOR
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has approved expansions of the Keystone Opportunity Zone in Mercer County.
The state designation means any company building or developing in those designated areas gets a 100-percent break on all state and local taxes for up to 13 years.
The KOZ was developed by the state to encourage new industrial development and job creation.
Dennis Puko, executive director of the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission said the county had more than 1,200 acres in earlier KOZ designations, most of it in the Shenango Valley, but some also in the Reynolds Development just south of Greenville and some in Sharpsville.
Properties
The five properties securing the new KOZ designation Thursday total 141 additional acres, he said.
They are:
UCooper Commons: The 32-acre former Cooper Industries manufacturing plant in Grove City that is being developed as a multitenant industrial park. The designation expires Dec. 31, 2010.
UMorocco Family Partnership: A vacant 50-acre parcel on Broadway Avenue in Hermitage. The designation expires Dec. 31, 2010.
UCattron Inc.: A four-acre parcel on Second Street in Sharpsville where Cattron, a communications company is located. The designation expires Dec. 31, 2010.
UBucks Fabricating: A vacant five-acre parcel on U.S. Route 19 in Sandy Creek Township. Bucks, a manufacturer of waste containers, is planning to expand. The designation expires Dec. 31, 2010.
UReynolds Development: A total of 50 vacant acres in three locations in the development area. The designation expires Dec. 31, 2013.