Economic Development
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 The City’s Economic Development Bureau strives to maximize opportunities for business of all sizes and natures and the City’s tax base by diversifying the local economy, stimulating private investment, and generating employment opportunities. The bureau staff offers technical assistance to businesses looking to relocate or expand within City limits by assisting in site selection, financing, and business development.
Businesses located in or relocating to the City are eligible for an array of incentive programs administered by the Economic Development Bureau. The following details each program and its eligibility and regulations.
IF YOU ARE:
- A business located in the City
- An individual looking to start a business
- A business looking to expand or relocate
Be sure to see the Business section of this website for information on taxes, licenses, available buildings, etc.
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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 |
From April 2005 to December 2007, the City of Johnstown’s Economic Development Department provided the following loans to businesses with in the City of Johnstown:
Jobs Development Loan
7 Total Projects
$141,383 City Investment
$226,729 Private Investment
17 New Jobs
Enterprise Development Loan
7 Total Projects
$492,770 City Investment
$1,803,426 Private Investment
108 New Jobs/21 Retained Jobs
UDAG Revolving Loan
7 Total Projects
$565,493 City Investment
$2,650,063 Private Investment
32 New Jobs/75 Retained Jobs
Total Loans
21 Total Projects
$1,199,646 Total City Investment
$4,680,218 Total Private Investment
157 Total New Jobs/96 Total Retained
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.
From April 2005 to December 2007, the City of Johnstown’s Economic Development Department provided the following grant to businesses with in the City of Johnstown:
Façade Improvement Grant
29 Total Façades
$151,599 Total City Investment
$215,569 Total Private Investment
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 locations 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 are 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.
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