EconomyTop story
Wesleyville and Union City join Erie County's expanded Opportunity Zones map
The expanded map covers nine census tracts
- 9
- census tracts in Erie County's approved map
- $400 million
- in investment from the first phase, the county said
- 10 years
- is the longest developers can defer taxes
Sources: Erie News Now, WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com
If you live in Wesleyville or Union City, your borough will take part in the federal Opportunity Zone program starting Jan. 1, 2027. County Executive Christina Vogel announced federal approval of Pennsylvania's expanded map, and Erie County's share covers nine census tracts.
The program is a federal tax incentive that lets developers defer taxes for up to 10 years in economically challenged areas. Vogel pointed to developer Christian Siembieda's Trust Hotel as the kind of investment officials hope to see. Wesleyville Borough Manager Marcus Jacobs said his borough has seen "30 years of disinvestment."
- Starts: Jan. 1, 2027
- Ends: Dec. 31, 2036
- First-timers: Wesleyville and Union City boroughs
- Kept: the original zones in the City of Erie
Approved tracts reach beyond the city of Erie
| Place | What's new |
|---|---|
| City of Erie | Original zones stay |
| Wesleyville | Joins for the first time |
| Union City | Joins for the first time |
| Rural areas | Included in approved tracts |
Source: Erie News Now
Several newly designated tracts also meet federal rural criteria, which opens the door to Qualified Rural Opportunity Funds. Mayor Daria Devlin called the news "another step forward in our community's revitalization."
