| Economic development or community development, have taken on a variety of faces, approaches, and challenges during the last 150 years, in our country. In Pennsylvania, a recent trend sought to utilize tax forgiveness at all levels of state and municipal government for prolonged periods, of at least 8 years or more. According to the 4-year report put out by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development in 2004, The Keystone Opportunity Zone Program of 1999 (KOZ) and its clone, the Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone Program of 2001 (KOEZ) represented an attractive and welcome addition to the arsenal of economic and community development tools for use in keeping and increasing commerce and jobs in the Commonwealth.;The basic legislative intent and mandates of both programs are examined as well as the early outcomes of the programs asserted by DCED. It includes specific analysis of the impact on the rural areas of Pennsylvania. Surveys, case study evidence, and trend data analysis provide dynamic and robust information that painted a mixed view on how well the KOZ/KOEZ programs had met their goals. The research rounds out with commentary and recommendations for administrators and legislators on future considerations, and suggestions for future research opportunities based upon this work. |
