HARRISBURG, Jan. 15, 2014 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said he supports legislation proposed today that would expand the City Revitalization Improvement Zone (CRIZ) program and help cities across Pennsylvania create economic growth.

“This is an excellent opportunity to reinvest state and local tax revenues generated in designated zones into projects that revitalize communities and create jobs,” Brewster said.

He said he supports the legislation proposed today because it would allow more than just the current eight of Pennsylvania’s 53 third-class cities to apply for the CRIZ program.

Brewster said, “Redevelopment and recovery programs should be made available to as many third-class cities as possible.”

The bill would allow the DCED to award 15 CRIZ authorizations between now and 2016. After that, two would be awarded each year. It would also change the city population requirements to allow more third-class cities to be eligible for the program, said Brewster.

He said the bill would also include five pilot programs for boroughs and townships of at least 7,000 people. Also, if Act 47 communities applied to participate in the CRIZ program, they would be considered first.

“There are several third-class cities in my district that could benefit from the changes proposed in the bill,” he said. “That’s the reason I support it.”

Brewster said he knows this program is beneficial to the communities who are chosen to participate, but far too many cities are excluded under the current law.

“This legislation would change that,” he said.

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