Lehighton Borough Council unanimously agreed to adopt a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance zone.

This program is an incentive for local business owners to renovate or attract new business to our community. The 10-year phase in exemption of property taxes is a benefit to these business owners. However, the taxes not collected by these business owners has the potential to put the burden of taxes on the residents of Lehighton Borough, Lehighton Area School District and Carbon County. As a property owner, you may face increases in all of these areas to support for profit businesses.

Please note, studies show most businesses fail in the first 10 years. There will be no way to collect these taxes that were a benefit to these business owners. I suggest you contact your borough council members, school board members and county commissioners, as well as attend their meetings, and tell them you do not support this tax incentive program.

Palmerton Borough, Palmerton School District and Carbon County set the precedence and voted not to support this program in their community. Taxpayers in Lehighton need to follow suit. The best way to support Lehighton and Carbon County businesses is to purchase their products and services.

Respectfully submitted,

Dennis E. Blocker

Lehighton