Budget & Taxes (Economic Development)

This bill amends Pennsylvania's tax code to create a new economic development tax credit designed to support business growth and infrastructure improvements within the state. To receive this credit, entities must hire only Pennsylvania residents, use 100% materials sourced from within the state or the United States, and comply with prevailing wage laws. The Department of Community and Economic Development is tasked with auditing recipients annually to ensure they meet these requirements, and any entity found non-compliant must repay the full amount of the tax credit.

This bill creates a new grant program in Pennsylvania to encourage the construction of workforce housing in areas that might otherwise resist such development. Local governments can apply for funding if they commit to adopting at least five specific pro-housing policies, such as reducing permit fees, allowing higher-density zoning, or eliminating parking requirements. The program aims to increase home ownership and support major economic projects by providing financial assistance to counties and municipalities that streamline their housing approval processes.

This bill creates a new grant program and fund to encourage local governments in Pennsylvania to build large-scale workforce housing near major economic development projects. To qualify for funding, counties or municipalities must adopt specific pro-housing policies, such as reducing permit fees, allowing higher-density zoning, and eliminating parking requirements, while also approving a project with at least 50 residential units. The program is designed to help areas that might otherwise struggle to attract housing development by providing financial support to those that streamline their approval processes and infrastructure for new construction.

HB 1794 creates a Waterfront Redevelopment Fund to provide grants for revitalizing waterfront areas across the state. It requires the Department of Community and Economic Development to manage the fund and distribute grants to eligible local projects, such as public access improvements or environmental upgrades. This bill directly affects municipalities, community groups, and developers working on waterfront sites by providing dedicated funding for redevelopment initiatives. The program establishes clear administrative procedures for grant applications and disbursement under the department's oversight.

HB 1446 allows local governments to grant tax exemptions for improvements and redevelopment of vacant or underused properties, directly affecting property owners and developers who redevelop sites like abandoned lots or outdated buildings. It establishes a state-level Economic Development and Mixed-Use Redevelopment Advisory Committee within the State Planning Board to advise on eligible projects and guide implementation. The Department of Community and Economic Development is given authority to manage the program, including setting eligibility rules and overseeing tax exemption approvals. The bill aims to incentivize revitalization of neglected properties by reducing financial barriers for redevelopment. This policy change focuses on concrete tax incentives and administrative structure, not speculative economic outcomes.