The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue announced the amount of state tax revenue that will be returned to communities participating in the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone Program. Tamaqua will receive $189,900.

Through the CRIZ Program, created by Act 52 of 2013, a portion of state and local taxes collected within designated CRIZ zones are used to repay debt service to stimulate economic development projects within the zones. The number of businesses that file a CRIZ report can influence the resulting funding levels.

This is the first year that Tamaqua will receive funds through the CRIZ program.

The payment is attributable to $67,035 from eight new businesses and $122,864 in incremental growth from 105 existing businesses.

Of the 194 businesses in the zone, 168 required reports were filed.

The maximum state borrowing permitted is $1.2 million, representing 50 percent of the 2015 state tax baseline of $2.4 million.

The cities of Bethlehem and Lancaster will also be receiving funds.

City of Bethlehem: The 2015 revenue that will be paid to the CRIZ in Bethlehem is $43,654.

The CRIZ Program is administered by the Department of Revenue, the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Governor’s Budget Office. More information about the program may be found at www.revenue.pa.gov, under General Tax Information, then Incentives, Credits & Programs. Additional information is found at the DCED website, www.newpa.com.