Gilpin officials are seeking volunteers for a new committee aimed at expanding business development in the rural township.
Supervisors Chairman Charles Stull announced Wednesday plans to create an Industrial and Economic Development Advisory Committee.
“As a local official, I’m always concerned for and looking for ways to bring more development to the township to bolster our tax base and spread the tax burden out to shift the heavy load off of current residents,” Stull said.
Stull said he spearheaded the effort to form the volunteer-led committee after receiving little help from the Armstrong County Industrial Development Corp.
“They told me they have many big projects on their plate already,” Stull said. “I decided if the county was unable to help, I’d bring it into local hands, as these blighted and abandoned sites affect our local taxpayers more than anyone else.”
The committee’s mission will be to serve as a resource for the business community by supporting the growth of local business.
“The committee shall look at new and innovative ways to market existing businesses and industry in the community and attract new businesses and industry that will be complementary to our existing base,” Stull said.
Len Kalmar, 80, of family-owned Kalmar Chevrolet along Route 66, has seen businesses come and go in Gilpin.
Kalmar’s has been selling and servicing cars for more than 80 years and is one of 21 businesses in the township.
“It’s progress for the township to want to do this,” Kalmar said, “but I don’t know if it’s the right time to do it with the downtrend of everything and slipping into a recession.”
Kalmar said a lot of vehicle traffic travels through the township on Route 66.
“There’s not enough attractions out this way, ” Kalmar said. “You’re not gonna see a Sheetz or anything like that up here. We don’t have enough traffic.”
Kalmar said the biggest obstacle for Gilpin officials might be a lack of incentives.
“We don’t have a tax break or anything like that. Maybe a tax reprieve for new businesses,” Kalmar said.
Stull noted the township offers a 10-year LERTA (local economic revitalization tax assistance) abatement of property taxes for any resident or business applying at the time they obtain their building permit.
Stull said the most recent businesses to move into Gilpin are Portage Inn, Bazella Concrete, Phoenix Granite and NB Hair Studio.
The township’s highest-taxed businesses are the closed ATI plant and the Schenley Industrial Park.
“But we have the potential for much more if new buildings or businesses move in. Additionally, ATI continues to fight for lower tax assessment of their empty building, shifting the tax burden onto residents of the township,” Stull said.
The committee will serve as a liaison to businesses, potential businesses and developers regarding the new zoning ordinance that is being written, Stull said.
Committee members will be expected to work closely with township businesses, the planning commission, zoning officer, township supervisors, the Leechburg Area School Board, the Armstrong County commissioners, non-government organizations and potential developers.
Supervisor Linda Alworth is hopeful community members and business owners will step up and join the committee.
Alworth said she would like to see more medical facilities make their way to Gilpin.
“Economic development can also create major job creation initiatives, which bring in higher paying jobs and training. Better infrastructure and more jobs can improve the economy of the region and raise the standard of living for its residents,” Alworth said.
