Section 1611-X - Additional Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone for deteriorated, underutilized or unoccupied parcels.(a) Designation.--In addition to any designation under Article XIX-D of the Tax Reform Code of 1971, or Chapter 3 of the KOZ act, the department may designate one additional Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone that includes an area in a county that has a population of at least 80,000 but less than 83,000 based on the 2020 federal decennial census.(b) Criteria.--Notwithstanding the Tax Reform Code of 1971 and the KOZ act, the additional Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone authorized under subsection (a): (1) May not be less than 300 acres in size.(2) Shall employ a micro-grid power source utilizing renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, including, but not limited to, solar, wind, natural gas or biomass.(3) Shall be comprised of one or more parcels that are deteriorated, underutilized or unoccupied parcels on the effective date of this paragraph.(c) Exemptions and deductions.-- (1) A business or affiliate of a business located within an additional Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone authorized under subsection (a) shall be entitled to all tax exemptions, deductions, abatements or credits under Chapters 5 and 7 of the KOZ act, except for exemptions for sales and use taxes under section 511(a) or 705(a) of the KOZ act, for a period of 10 years from the date manufacturing commences in the Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone.(2) Exemptions for sales and use taxes under section 511(a) or 705(a) of the KOZ act shall commence upon designation of the Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone by the department and shall continue for 10 years.(d)Applications.-- (1) In order to receive a designation under subsection (a), the department must receive an application from a political subdivision or the political subdivision's designee no later than October 1, 2026. The application shall contain the information required under section 302(a) of the KOZ act.(2) The department, in consultation with the Department of Revenue, shall review the application and, if approved, issue a certification of all tax exemptions, deductions, abatements or credits under the KOZ act consistent with subsection (c) within three months of receipt of the application.(3) The department shall act on an application for a designation under subsection (a) no later than December 31, 2026.(e) Disapproval.--If the department does not approve of a designation under subsection (a), the department shall hold a public hearing in the municipality for which the application was made within 30 days of the disapproval. The Secretary of Community and Economic Development or a designee shall provide the following information at the public hearing: (1) The reason for the disapproval.(2) The estimated number of new jobs that would have been created in the parcel.(3) The estimated dollar amount of new investment that would have been made in the parcel.(4) An alternative economic development plan developed by the department that would, if implemented, provide an equivalent amount of investment in the municipality for which the application was made.(f) Transparency.--The department shall conduct the public hearing required under subsection (e) in accordance with applicable provisions of 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings).Added by P.L. TBD 2023 No. 34,§ 8, eff. 12/13/2023.