Coatesville School District Projects $3.3M Revenue from New Development After LERTA Approval
September 10, 2025 | Coatesville Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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The Coatesville Area School District Board meeting on September 9, 2025, focused on the financial implications of a proposed development project and its potential impact on the district's budget. Key discussions revolved around the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) program, which aims to stimulate development in the area.
The meeting highlighted projected revenues from the development, estimating an annual revenue of approximately $3.3 million. This figure includes real estate taxes, earned income taxes, and state and federal funding, with a net surplus expected to reach nearly $1.37 million annually. The board noted that the anticipated revenue would significantly exceed the district's expenditures, which are projected at just over $1 million.
The proposed development includes 262 apartments and townhomes, with the apartments expected to be built first. Developers emphasized that these units would likely attract fewer school-age children, thereby minimizing additional costs for the school district. The apartments will consist of one and two-bedroom units, which typically house fewer children compared to larger family units.
Board members raised questions about the timeline for the LERTA program, clarifying that it would begin upon the application for building permits, not necessarily when the units are occupied. This means that the financial benefits could start accruing even before the entire development is completed.
The developers stressed the importance of the LERTA program for the project's viability, stating that without it, the development would not proceed. They argued that the project would ultimately benefit the school district, city, and county by increasing overall revenue and enhancing the local economy.
In conclusion, the board's discussions underscored the potential financial benefits of the proposed development for the Coatesville Area School District, while also addressing concerns about the timing and impact of the LERTA program. The board is expected to continue evaluating the proposal and its implications for the district's future.
The meeting highlighted projected revenues from the development, estimating an annual revenue of approximately $3.3 million. This figure includes real estate taxes, earned income taxes, and state and federal funding, with a net surplus expected to reach nearly $1.37 million annually. The board noted that the anticipated revenue would significantly exceed the district's expenditures, which are projected at just over $1 million.
The proposed development includes 262 apartments and townhomes, with the apartments expected to be built first. Developers emphasized that these units would likely attract fewer school-age children, thereby minimizing additional costs for the school district. The apartments will consist of one and two-bedroom units, which typically house fewer children compared to larger family units.
Board members raised questions about the timeline for the LERTA program, clarifying that it would begin upon the application for building permits, not necessarily when the units are occupied. This means that the financial benefits could start accruing even before the entire development is completed.
The developers stressed the importance of the LERTA program for the project's viability, stating that without it, the development would not proceed. They argued that the project would ultimately benefit the school district, city, and county by increasing overall revenue and enhancing the local economy.
In conclusion, the board's discussions underscored the potential financial benefits of the proposed development for the Coatesville Area School District, while also addressing concerns about the timing and impact of the LERTA program. The board is expected to continue evaluating the proposal and its implications for the district's future.
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