Incentive Programs

LOAN PROGRAMS

The City offers four low interest loan programs at 3% interest for new and expanding businesses throughout the City.

Jobs Development Loan Program (JDL)
Micro-enterprise Jobs Development Loan Program (Micro JDL)
UDAG Revolving Loan Program (UDAG)
Enterprise Development Loan Program (EZL)

Program	Loan Amounts	Loan Requirements	Eligible Uses
JDL	33% of TPC, up to $100,000 or 50% of TPC, if located in CBD	Create 1 full-time job for every $15,000 borrowed or retain 1 full-time job for every $7,500	Land Acquisition Building Acquisition Building Construction Building Renovation Leasehold Improvements Machinery/Equipment Inventory Working Capital
Micro JDL	50% of TPC, up to $10,000 or 70% of TPC, if located in CBD	Create one full-time job, which may be the business owner
UDAG	33% of TPC, up to $100,000 or 50% of TPC, if located in CBD	Create 1 full-time job for every $15,000 borrowed or retain 1full-time job for every $7,500
EZL	25% of TPC, up to $100,000 Or 50% of TPC, if located in CBD	Create 1full-time job for every $15,000 borrowed or retain1 full-time job for every $7,500

FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

The Façade Improvement Program is open to all commercial properties within city limits. Businesses and property owners are offered architectural assistance along with a fifty-fifty match up to $7,500 for improvements to a building’s exterior including signage, surface treatment, windows, and landscaping.

ENTERPRISE ZONE

A majority of the City’s neighborhoods including the Central Business District are located in the City’s state designated Enterprise Zone. Businesses located in the Enterprise Zone can receive special consideration for state contracting opportunities.

HUBZONE

Sections of the City are designated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUB Zones). Businesses in these location receive special consideration for contracting with all federal agencies, including set asides.

KEYSTONE OPPORTUNITY ZONES (KOZ’s)

The City of Johnstown contains 8 KOZ’s. These areas offer local and state tax exemption for property owners until 2012. The sites range in size from 1.5 acres to over 20 acres with most having infrastructure already in place. They offer a variety of opportunities as some are zoned commercial and industrial while some are zoned for residential uses.

KEYSTONE INNOVATION ZONE (KIZ)

A portion of the City is included in the Greater Johnstown Keystone Innovation Zone, a state delineated area where partnerships between higher education institutions and technology based businesses is encouraged. Businesses who locate in the KIZ can qualify for tax credits. Those businesses without a tax liability will have the ability to sell their tax credits.