City Treasurer's Office highlights programs to help local businesses

Williamsport, Pa. — Resources and funding programs are widely available to help local businesses, nonprofits, and residents, but are they widely known?

City Treasurer Kevin Mackey says they aren't.

"I think many programs are underutilized," he said. "There seems to be less interest in them over the years. COVID was one reason, but that's not the case now. And if we stop talking about these programs, people won't know they're there."

The City Treasurer's Office, in conjunction with the City's Department of Economic Development (DCED) has a direct interest in supporting local business and development. Mackey highlighted a few of the programs and loans that are currently available.

The Micro Enterprise Loan (CDBG HUD-funded loan) is dedicated to assisting commercial enterprises with five or fewer employees. This program requires at least 51% of your employees to be at or below 80% of the area median income. The loan offers up to $10,000 at a 1% interest rate.

"The Micro Enterprise loan has been used one time in the last three years," Mackey said. Regular business loan interest rates are much higher, he noted.

The Facade Program offers a low-interest loan for repairs and improvements to the exterior of commercial properties. Eligible entities are commercial units in any City commercial district, allowing up to $10,000 per applicant.

The Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance program, or LERTA, is a tax abatement program created by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania authorizing local taxing authorities to provide tax exemption to incentivize redevelopment of aging or deteriorating properties.

"LERTA can lessen your property taxes for seven years," said Mackey, "allowing you to put that money right back into your business."

Find a LERTA application for the City of Williamsport here .

"There's a program out there for just about anything," Mackey said. "But they won't be around forever. If there's no interest, they'll go away."

The Community & Economic Development Office can assist businesses and residents with City applications. While the City can't help with available funding offered via other programs, the Treasurer is working to bring awareness to the many options out there.

To learn more about City programs, contact:

Jernae Drummond

570-327-7577 jdrummond@cityofwilliamsport.org

For contacts and information related to other assistance, contact:

Kevin Mackey

570-327-7520 treasurer@cityofwilliamsport.org

Mackey indicated a desire to be transparent and accessible. "I want to give people our direct contact information to help bring awareness to what's available," Mackey said. "We're a small city, we can afford to be attentive."