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Berks County hears LERTA presentation for Cumru Township property
Summary
County staff explained a proposed LERTA (10-year tax abatement) for a property along the old Route 222 corridor in Cumru Township, saying the tool aims to spur commercial redevelopment; commissioners described the county policy as a simple, commercial-only program.
BERKS COUNTY — County officials on Oct. 3 heard a presentation on a proposed LERTA (Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance) exemption for a property along the old Route 222 corridor in Cumru Township.
Pam Minnett, director of community and economic development, told commissioners the program is designed to help municipalities attract redevelopment. "It is a tool that is available to municipalities to help them attract redevelopment to the area," she said, outlining that the county evaluates each request on its merits and the municipality’s interest.
Minnett described the request as the standard 10-year structure used under the county’s LERDA policy, noting assessed value continues to be collected while the incremental increase on improved value is phased in. The chair framed the county’s approach as intentionally simple and limited: "We limit our LERDA to commercial. We are not using the LERDA for the purpose of residential," he said, adding the policy is a straight 10 years at roughly 10% of the improvement added per year.
Commissioners and staff referenced prior uses of the program to encourage development in underinvested corridors, citing earlier projects at Berks Park 78 where large retailers located after tax-assistance measures. Commissioners emphasized the county does not use side agreements that have, in other cases, led to litigation.
The item appeared on the meeting agenda for consideration; Pam Minnett and commissioners described the county’s review role and the municipal origin of the request. The transcript does not record a completed vote on the LERTA itself during this meeting.
What happens next: the LERTA request remains before the board as an agenda item to be considered under the county’s LERDA policy and in coordination with the municipality and affected taxing bodies.
