Butler airport looking to attract businesses to development zone
A 45-acre area just outside of Pittsburgh-Butler County Airport could soon become the business center of Penn Township — the Airport Land Development Zone.
The area is just north of the airport, along Airport Road. While the zone is currently dormant and devoid of any activity, airport officials are hoping that one day it will unlock new financial opportunities once businesses begin building there.
Butler County Commissioner Kim Geyer spoke glowingly of the opportunities afforded by the zone during the State of the County event on March 20.
“We’re positioning the airport to be in a position of strength for the future,” Geyer said.
The airport was one of three chosen for the development zone program when it was first introduced by Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2023, along with Arnold Palmer Regional Airport and Rostraver Airport, both in Westmoreland County.
The program was established that year to encourage economic development by creating businesses and jobs around airports and is designed to attract businesses with tax credits.
“Any business that situates in that zone will have a $2,100-per-employee tax credit for the next 10 years from the time they start their business,” Geyer said.
Before any structures can be built in the development zone, there must be infrastructure there to support it. Geyer says that the airport authority is in the process of putting an infrastructure project for the area out to bid, which will consist of 1,200 feet of sewer line construction. The new sewer line would be tied to an already-existing public water line.
“Having public water and sewer adjacent to the 45-acre ALDZ will position the airport for future growth, development and expansion which will enable the authority to become more financially self-sufficient,” Geyer said.
In addition, the airport authority is looking to meet with Penn Township officials and establish a special zoning overlay district for the area — an area laid over the top of one or more zoning districts which establishes a set of additional rules and regulations.
While development hasn’t gotten started at the site yet, Geyer says that the airport has received some interest from certain types of industry, including aviation, small businesses and light manufacturing.
“There is interest by aviation-related and small businesses who are attracted to the $2,100 tax credit,” Geyer said.
