Schuylkill County Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved a revised 10-year property tax abatement intended to clear the way for two large speculative logistics warehouses at Highridge Business Park in Cass Township.
The vote during the Commissioners’ work session amends the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) schedule for a 315-acre parcel adjacent to facilities occupied by JELD-WEN and the Lowe’s Regional Distribution Center. It was taken outside the standard practice of presenting the plan for review at a work session meeting and then being voted upon the following week at a Commissioners board meeting.
Under the modified agreement, a future property owner will receive a 75% property tax abatement for the first five years, followed by a 50% abatement for the remaining five years. The site’s prior LERTA agreement provided a flat 50% abatement across all 10 years.
Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. President Frank Zukas asked commissioners to approve the amendment immediately, calling it the final approval needed to close the land transaction. Cass Township and Minersville Area School District approved the revised terms of the LERTA months ago.
Zukas said an unnamed prospective buyer requested the steeper upfront tax relief. The 315-acre tract will be subdivided into two parcels to accommodate two speculative logistics warehouses.
Building “on spec” means construction begins before securing committed tenants. Zukas told Commissioners that the upfront tax reduction is essential to attract occupants in a crowded regional market.
“The logic behind it is that the competitive nature of big boxes being built on speculation and available within the Interstate 81 corridor is based on being able to secure a tenant for the building,” Zukas said.
Zukas noted that prospective tenants will sign triple-net leases, which obligate occupants to pay property taxes, insurance, and utilities. Lower tax liabilities during the initial lease years are intended to make the Highridge sites competitive with similar logistics facilities stretching from Hazleton to Scranton.
“We’re trying to get to a point where they can go to construction on it this year,” Zukas told commissioners. He wanted it rushed through County government because the developer seeks to get a construction team on site as soon as possible this calendar year.
The tax abatement does not apply to data centers, if the developer were to alter the current plan for the logistics warehouses. If that change were to happen, the LERTA would not apply.
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Scoob
October 22, 2026 at 6:15 am
So much for public feedback. This was literally brought up and pushed through without the public having input. Just shows you their is “no representation of the people” in the Skook. Just local politicians and commissioners getting paid off.
Dave
October 22, 2026 at 9:16 am
Have you ever driven on Keystone Blvd? SEDCO is responsible for the road and it needs to be repaved. Who would want to put a business there when the potholes are terrible? Fixing one pothole at a time isn’t working.