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Extend city tax abatement program on commercial work

The Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement (LERTA) is due to end at the close of 2018.

That would be a mistake.

The LERTA program is a cooperative venture among the city of Williamsport, Lycoming County government and the Williamsport Area School District that provides tax abatement on commercial properties in Williamsport.

As presently written, the tax discounts apply to a property and are incrementally eliminated over the course of 10 years.

The idea is to attract developers to build in vacant buildings or lots by giving them tax breaks in the initial years of building and operation. The purpose is to encourage commercial development, particularly in open or blighted areas.

The program has been in effect for decades.

Has it always worked to desired affect? Of course not. The city has its share of vacant lots and empty buildings.

But the city would have more of that without such a tax abatement program. And a look at other cities the size of Williamsport illustrates the long-term payoff of relative vibrancy and expanded tax base that comes with the crutch meant to promote commercial development.

City Council’s economic revitalization committee is looking at recommending extending and even expanding the abatement program for commercial properties.

But that would requirement agreement on the program from the school district and Lycoming County government leaders.

We hope they will give it strong consideration.

Commercial development in cities large and small these days does not just happen. Incentives are necessary.

The long-term results are worth it.

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