Carlisle looks to tax incentive for redevelopment

Photo by Craig Layne/witf

Former International Automotive Components site in Carlisle

(Carlisle) -- One Cumberland County community is considering expanding special tax abatements to include about 60 acres of former industrial property.

Over the past four years, Carlisle has seen three of its major industrial employers close up shop.

Borough leaders say the empty properties at the International Automotive Components Group, Tyco and Carlisle Wheel and Tire are ripe for change under what’s been dubbed the Carlisle Urban Redevelopment Plan.

Borough Manager Matt Candland says expanding Carlisle’s Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance to include the sites could entice developers to invest.

“It encourages a developer to come in and spend the extra money that’s required on a brownfield property,” Candland explains. “This is not a cornfield, so there’s extra cost involved. They’ve got to make their numbers work, and so the LERTA helps their numbers work a little better.”

Map of Carlisle. Purple indicates Urban Redevelopment Plan sites. Green indicates existing LERTA district downtown.

Candland says LERTA would give developers property tax breaks on any improvements they would make to the lots. The incentive has been approved by the borough and the Carlisle Area School District. The Cumberland County commissioners still have to vote.

A series of public meetings asking people what they would like to see built on the former industrial sites concludes tonight.