Foreign Trade Zone - A History
In 2001 the Board of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission submitted an application to establish a General Purpose Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) at the DuBois Regional Airport located in Washington Township, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. In March 2002, the application was approved by the FTZ Board and the DuBois Regional Airport became the official site of FTZ No. 254.
North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, a private, not-for-profit corporation, is the General Purpose Foreign Trade Zone Grantee. The General Purpose Zone is located within 60 statute miles from the northeastern corner of the Allegheny County line, the outermost limit of the Port of Pittsburgh, Customs Port of Entry, and meets the 90-minute driving time rule.
The FTZ project is an outgrowth of the effort of North Central and the regional business communities to establish a Customs User Fee Airport to serve the area to expedite and encourage commerce and job growth. The region's businesses engaged in international trade that are affected by tarrif considerations can improve their overall competitiveness in the global marketplace by utilizing a FTZ. After careful study and consideration, North Central surmised that the best way to provide Zone services to the six-county area business community was to establish a Foreign Trade Zone for this area.
The General Purpose Foreign Trade Zone is located at the DuBois Regional Airport. The Airport, owned by the Clearfield-Jefferson Counties Regional Airport Authority, is a completely modern facility which accommodates passenger and air traffic freight on a regularly scheduled basis. The Airport also has facilities that will accommodate Customs personnel and ample area for additional commercial growth. North Central and the Airport Authority regard the Zone as a service available to community businesses who need the Foreign Trade Zone program to enhance their international competitiveness. This service is consistent with other economic development efforts of North Central, who regularly participates with local businesses and government entities on projects that encompass more than traditional airport services.
The North Central region has several very active companies that are heavily involved in world trade and have had an ongoing need for a local General Purpose FTZ and several sub-zone potentials.
About the Site
Proximity to Major Markets
The North Central Pennsylvania Region is only hours away from by car from the largest population concentration in United States of America. Product can be shipped by truck or rail and reach east coast markets in a matter of hours. Daily commuter service is available from the DuBois Regional Airport directly to the Pittsburgh International Airport, connecting to locations worldwide.
Transportation Access
The General Purpose Foreign Trade Zone at the DuBois Regional Airport, with direct access from Interstate 80 via Exit 90, has nearby railroad access and planned trucking and transfer facilities - including warehousing and incubator complexes dedicated to companies engaged in international commerce.
Communications
Numerous Internet and telephone companies serve the area, and an innovative wireless network is available to promote high-speed, business-to-business interaction.
Utilities
- Water treatment and distribution system (expandable)
- Sanitary sewer collection and treatment system (expandable)
- Natural gas - National Fuel Gas
- Electric - United Electric Cooperative supplemented by the Airport Authority owned 350 KW/438 KVA emergency generator
- Telephone - Windstream
Further Opportunities
By locating in the FTZ at the DuBois Regional Airport, a busness may also participate in the Keystone Opportunity Zone program that reduces or eliminates local property and state business taxes. Special Purpose Zones, considered Sub-Zones of the FTZ, are available to companies for product manufacturing and other uses.
For further information regarding FTZs or FTZ No. 254, contact John Weible at 814-371-1506, jweible@ncentral.com, or visit the FTZ website at www.ftz.gov.