LERTA: Fueling Strategic Investment in Monroe County

• Encourages businesses to develop and make improvements in the designated areas
• Helps build future tax ratables
• Enables us to compete for new investment with other regions
• In just a few years 100% of tax revenue is received
• Helps to fight blight

*The taxing bodies do not sacrifice any current tax revenue. The abatement is only on an improvement that increases the assessment of the property.

• Pocono Mountains Corporate Center East
  • Mountain Healthcare Center – Current PMSD taxes: $352,842.70
  • The Courtyard – Current PMSD taxes: $46,232.39
  • Messer LLC – Currently in LERTA, future revenue $93,631.01 based on current assessment & current millage
• Pocono Mountains Corporate Center West
  • Thomson Logistic Assets LLC – Current PMSD taxes: $1,489,581
  • NFI Logistics – Currently in LERTA, future total annual tax revenue $812,712.73 based on current assessment & current millage PMSD taxes:  $592,313.25
• Pocono Mountains Corporate Center South
  • Monadnock Non-Wovens – Current PMSD taxes: $48,841.97
  • United Envelope Corp – Current PMSD taxes: $139,912.46
  • Logistics Properties Corp. – Currently in LERTA, future total annual tax revenue $449,639.25 based on current assessment & current millage PMSD taxes:  $327,701.78

*All tax numbers are annual tax generation for that site as of 2025

• Properties are identified, a LERTA proposal is prepared that includes the terms & an Ordinance is drafted
• A public hearing is held either individually or together with all three taxing bodies
• If all agree, the school district and the county will pass a resolution to participate, and the township will adopt the ordinance
• Typically, in accordance with the ordinance adopted, projects obtain an application at the time a building permit is issued for a new project on a LERTA approved property.
  • The new assessment being issued (when the project is issued its Certificate of Occupancy and the County then assessed the new improvements, triggers the beginning of the abatement period.

There are several approved LERTA districts in Monroe County now including in:

• Coolbaugh Township
• Middle Smithfield Township
• Stroudsburg Borough

LERTA districts are being considered now in:

• Pocono Township
• Stroud Township

*LERTA Districts are subject to change by the taxing bodies. Interested parties can check with the municipality as to the current status and specific properties that may be located in an active LERTA district.

LERTA as a Catalyst for Long-Term Revenue Growth:

• The initial tax abatements provided by LERTA made these ambitious projects feasible.
• Post-abatement, the municipalities benefited from significantly higher tax revenues than prior to development.

Economic Multiplier Effect:

• The developments spurred additional investments, leading to further increases in property values and tax revenues.
• New businesses and increased tourism amplified sales and occupancy tax collections.

Enhanced Fiscal Health for Communities:

• The additional tax revenues allowed for reinvestment in public services, infrastructure, and community programs.
• These projects helped diversify the local tax base, reducing reliance on any single industry or taxpayer.

While the direct tax revenue increases are impressive, the true impact of these projects resonates on a human level:

Community Revitalization:

• Blighted areas became vibrant hubs, improving safety and quality of life.
• Residents regained a sense of pride and optimism about their hometowns.

Inspiration for Future Projects:

• These successes serve as blueprints for other communities seeking redevelopment.
• They demonstrate the power of strategic incentives combined with visionary planning.