PRINTER'S NO. 2461
No. 1944 Session of 1997
INTRODUCED BY KIRKLAND, EVANS, STERN, TRAVAGLIO, BELARDI, CARN,
PESCI, ROBINSON, SAINATO, JAMES, HALUSKA AND TANGRETTI,
OCTOBER 21, 1997
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
OCTOBER 21, 1997
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of June 29, 1996 (P.L.434, No.67), entitled "An
2 act to enhance job creation and economic development by
3 providing for an annual financing strategy, for opportunity
4 grants, for job creation tax credits, for small business
5 assistance and for the Small Business Advocacy Council;
6 conferring powers and duties on various administrative
7 agencies and authorities; further providing for various
8 funds; and making repeals," providing for targeted
9 communities.
10 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
11 hereby enacts as follows:
12 Section 1. Section 103 of the act of June 29, 1996 (P.L.434,
13 No.67), known as the Job Enhancement Act, is amended by adding a
14 definition to read:
15 Section 103. Definitions.
16 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
17 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
18 context clearly indicates otherwise:
19 * * *
20 "Targeted communities." Shall include the following:
1 (1) Enterprise zones established under the act of July
2 9, 1986 (P.L.1216, No.108), known as the Enterprise Zone
3 Municipal Tax Exemption Reimbursement Act.
4 (2) Distressed communities as defined under the act of
5 July 10, 1987 (P.L.246, No.47), known as the Municipalities
6 Financial Recovery Act.
7 (3) Communities notified under the early earning system
8 pursuant to the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act.
9 (4) Areas designated by the Federal Government as an
10 empowerment zone or enterprise community.
11 (5) Counties with an unemployment rate at least 150%
12 above the seasonally adjusted Statewide average unemployment
13 rate as determined by the Department of Labor and Industry.
14 (6) Geographical areas which may also be designated as a
15 targeted community by the department due to one or more
16 adverse economic factors.
17 Section 2. Section 703 of the act is amended by adding a
18 subsection to read:
19 Section 703. Eligibility.
20 * * *
21 (e) Funding allocation.--A minimum of 20% of the funds
22 appropriated under the Opportunity Grant Program in a given
23 fiscal year shall be approved for projects in targeted
24 communities.
25 Section 3. Section 705(a) of the act is amended and the
26 section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
27 Section 705. Requirements.
28 (a) Private match.--Applications for assistance under this
29 chapter must include a written commitment from the applicant to
30 invest private matching funds at the project site. The amount of
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1 private matching funds must be at least $4 for every $1 of
2 Opportunity Grant Program assistance[.], with the exception of
3 targeted communities where the private match requirements shall
4 be $2 for every $1 of Opportunity Grant Program assistance.
5 * * *
6 (d) Employment requirement.--In targeted communities
7 projects that will result in the creation or preservation of at
8 least 50 jobs shall be qualified for a grant under the
9 Opportunity Grant Program.
10 Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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