With the powerful market-based incentive of tax abatement, the KOZ initiative is designed to revive economically distressed urban and rural communities throughout the Commonwealth. The program fosters both private and residential reinvestment in these designated areas to regain the economic stability of these communities. Each KOZ fosters both community and economic development to allow the creation of opportunity plans that address:
- business attraction/retention strategies;
- educational improvement;
- crime prevention;
- housing reinvestment;
- and improved quality of life.
Southern Alleghenies is one of twelve designated KOZ's consisting of 18 subzones located in six counties including Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset. The Southern Alleghenies KOZ is strategically located with access to major markets and is ready for immediate occupancy with acreage within industrial parks. Highlights of this zone include an excellent transportation network -- including Interstates 99, 70 and 76 -- exceptional rail access, and the availability of water, sewer, and telecommunications systems.
Brief History
The Southern Alleghenies Region, comprised of Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset Counties, is appropriately named after the southern portion of the Allegheny Mountain range that bisects the region. The total population of the region is 478,000 people spread out over 4,600 square miles, 60% of which is still forested. The mountains have greatly influenced the way that the region has been settled and developed. The impacts of this are still felt today. The region was built on the coal, steel, rail, and agriculture industries. Those industries still continue to contribute to the economy of the region, but through the decline of those industries, a stronger, more dynamic and diversified economy has emerged. The region now boasts a mix of heavy and light manufacturing facilities, retail centers, exceptional health care institutions, a strong service sector, agriculture products and food processing, as well as a growing tourism industry. The traditions of the past have built a strong, loyal and trained workforce as well as a safe environment with an affordable cost of living and an enjoyable quality of life.
Business Climate
The region encompassed by the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission, one of Pennsylvania's seven state-designated, multi-county economic development groups (Local Development Districts), has numerous community and economic development attributes that have resulted in an outstanding business climate. These include:
- excellent transportation access to all major markets and population centers in the Northeast, South and Midwest;
- economic development infrastructure availability to support growth; a labor force with a reputation of being high-skilled, hard working and productive;
- outstanding access to cultural and recreational activities, ranging from the arts and theater to renowned skiing, camping, and water-sports;
- and, perhaps most importantly, the willingness of local leadership, in both the public and private sectors, to work diligently together to address local and regional problems and opportunities.
There exists a unique relationship among the elected, appointed, and other public and private sector leaders. It is unique because they not only meet and discuss how to move the Southern Alleghenies region forward, but follow-up with action. This means that businesses seeking to locate to the Southern Alleghenies region and expanding local businesses alike have the full cooperation of government and economic development agencies.
"Welcome to the Southern Alleghenies" is more than a slogan in the region.
Economic Base
The Southern Alleghenies Region is a goods producing region.
Agriculture, tourism, heavy and light manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, retail, service, and high technology firms all contribute to a highly diversified and robust economy that was built on the rail, steel, and coal industries.
The region houses the headquarters of firms such as the Sheetz Corporation, JLG Industries, Crown American Corporation, BT Financial Corporation, James Industries (manufacturer of the Slinky) and L. Robert Kimball & Associates.
Workforce
Workers in the region demonstrate a strong work ethic developed through tradition and generations of workers in the region.
The region has an available supply of labor with excellent skills, along with a demonstrated sense of partnership between labor and management.
Workers are highly loyal and turnover rates are extremely low.
Subsidized training programs are available to upgrade worker's skills, and a highly respected educational system supports the training needs.
Infrastructure
The Southern Alleghenies Region is strategically located in southern Pennsylvania, midway between two large urban regions: the New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C. Region on the eastern seaboard: and the Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago agglomeration to the west.
Transportation improvements to major arterioles have been the primary focus of the development efforts for the region for some time, highlighted by Interstate 99, US Route 219, US Route 22 and Interstate 76 (the Pennsylvania Turnpike) that bisect the region.
Rail service is well developed in the region. Easy access is provided to all points in the US.
All points in the Southern Alleghenies Region are within less than four hours driving time to the ports of Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Two local airports located in Altoona and Johnstown provide commuter flights several times a day to Pittsburgh International Airport in less than 40 minutes air time.
Education
From pre-school through graduate studies, the Southern Alleghenies has a solid training base and educational system.
The public school districts in the region are consistently recognized for excellence in educational programs, a very low drop out rate, and a safe environment for students.
The region also houses a number of private schools, both parochial as well as private academies.
Two-year schools such as the Cambria Rowe Business College, Allegany Community College, and the Altoona School of Commerce offer a wide range of technical and associate degrees.
On a collegiate level, the region is fortunate to have access to fine educational institutions. Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh both have four year branch campuses located in the region, and Juniata College and St. Francis College, quaintly located in the rural areas of the region, offer graduate studies.
Quality of Life
The Southern Alleghenies Region offers a mix of small urban centers, welcoming small towns, and a beautiful rural countryside dotted with small farms and abundant green spaces.
The air is clean and fresh, streets and schools are safe with the lowest crime rate in the nation, the water supply is abundant and clean. The cost of living is below average and the people are friendly.
Recreational opportunities are superb with hiking, boating, fishing, golfing, whitewater rafting, downhill and cross-country snow skiing, and biking to name a few.
Housing costs are affordable, and exceptional health care facilities are readily available.
Amateur sports are taken seriously in the region. The region hosts a number of prestigious sporting events each year, including the largest bicycle stage race in the country (Tour De'Toona) and the premier amateur baseball tournament.