At the workshop session April 21, Parkland School District board members listened to a presentation by district business manager Leslie Frisbie and viewed a film from the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation which provided an overview of the Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical manufacturing plant proposed outside Fogelsville.

The focus of attention was the Local Economic Revitalization Act known as LERTA.

Through this measure, a company constructing a plant in an “underused” area can receive tax relief as an incentive to locate there.

The property under consideration is presently used for agriculture.

Jaime Marie Whalen, executive vice president and chief of staff of LVEDC, explained the importance of having partners to support the endeavor.

She said any entity that provides financial assistance to Eli Lilly will strengthen the impact of the invitation for the business to come to the Lehigh Valley.

On behalf of the LVEDC, Whalen offered a proposal for Parkland School District to become a supporting partner through a 10-year tax abatement plan.

Using estimates provided by the Lehigh County Office of Tax Abatement, Frisbie displayed two charts which listed the district’s obligation over a 10 year period, one for a lower assessment at $68 million, the other for the higher end at $105 million,

With the lower example, Parkland would dedicate $1,335,516 in year one and receive no return.

Year two would be $1,378,253 with 90% going to the abatement and $137,825 going to the district.

The process continues to year 10 with a $1,757,820 Parkland commitment, showing 10% to the abatement and $1,582,038 to the district.

At the end of the 10 years, the real estate abatement would total $8,092,765 and the district revenue $7,323,580.

With the larger assessed value of $105 million, after 10 years the LERTA abatement would be $12,496,181 and the district revenue $11,308,469.

Whalen commented on the Eli Lilly plan to come to the Lehigh Valley.

“We are really excited about this project in our backyard. They’re ready to go and want to get going as soon as possible. Decisions from local partners will have an impact on their timeline,” Whalen said.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Madson said the request for Parkland involvement in the tax abatement plan was to be considered at the budget seminar May 1 and will be included in the May 12 workshop or board meeting.