Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

In the near future I intend to introduce legislation establishing a sales and use tax exemption program for data center equipment purchases in an effort to reduce neighboring states’ competitive advantage in attracting large, high-tech capital investments. Currently, 17 states including Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia offer sales tax exemptions to incentivize data center investments.

Under my proposal, eligible data center owners, operators and tenants must have a combined minimum employee payroll of $1 million within four years of program certification by the Department of Community and Economic Development. Further, a combined minimum new capital investment must be achieved within four years of certification by DCED as follows:

• $50 million in a county with a population greater than 250,000
• $25 million in a county with a population less than 250,000

The net effect of this program would be more skilled Pennsylvania jobs and an increase in state and local revenues. Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation. If you have any questions, please contact Justin Leventry by calling 787-9684.