Redevelopment Authority explores fee-based loan processing, residential projects and grant consultant

Members of the Lackawanna County Redevelopment Authority discussed March 26 a proposal to expand the authority's activities to include fee-based loan processing for smaller tax-exempt financing, pursue residential programs allowed by Commonwealth regulation, and work with consultant Sarah Halstone to seek grant funding.

A board member described prior experience processing a loan that produced a 2% fee for the authority and said the model could be applied to small businesses and to political subdivisions that need tax-free financing on a smaller, lower-cost scale than traditional Industrial Development Authority services.

The board discussed residential projects as a potential area of focus. One participant described a possible residential subdivision of roughly 200'300 acres and noted that the authority can participate in certain residential programs under state rules; the board also discussed a potential 55-plus community in early-stage talks. The discussion included mention of a recent private purchase of the Scranton School for the Deaf property and interest in whether the authority could help on that or similar projects, but no formal proposal or request for authority action was on the agenda.

The board said it has met with consultant Sarah Halstone, who would prepare a plan and pursue grants; the consultant's fee would, according to the discussion, be structured so she is paid only upon successful grant awards. Members said the idea would be brought back for further discussion and that any next steps would require board approval. No motions or votes were recorded at the March 26 meeting to adopt a new loan program, enter into a consultant contract, or commit authority resources to residential projects.