How It Works

Follow a tax dollar from the 130-acre zone back into the projects rebuilding Erie.

It starts downtown

130 acres where Erie's growth stays in Erie.

The CRIZ is a zone of parcels across the Bayfront, State Street and Parade Street. Normally, the state and local taxes a business pays leave the neighborhood. Inside the zone, the taxes generated by new growth come back to the Erie CRIZ Authority to build what comes next.

A baseline protects today's tax base

The state measured what zone businesses paid in 2024. That amount keeps flowing to the state and city as usual.

Growth above it comes home

New businesses, expansions and construction in the zone generate new tax dollars. Those are captured for the zone.

The Authority reinvests it

Funds pay for debt service, property acquisition and new construction on projects inside the zone.

Follow the money

One dollar's trip around the zone.

Here is what happens to a tax dollar paid inside the CRIZ, from the register to a new project downtown. Five steps, and only one of them asks anything of a business owner.

  1. A business in the zone pays its taxes

    Nothing changes at the register or on payroll. Sales, income and other eligible state and local taxes are paid exactly the way they are today.

  2. Due every June 15

    It files a CRIZ report

    Every qualified business in the zone, including construction contractors working here, files an annual state and local CRIZ report. This is the step that makes the dollar count. Taxes from a late or missing report are left out of the fund, and the business can face a penalty.

    Not sure how to file? Our accountant will help you, free. Get reporting help

  3. The state certifies the growth

    The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and the local tax office compare what the zone paid against its 2024 baseline. Only the increase is certified for the CRIZ.

  4. The increase comes back to Erie

    Certified dollars move into the CRIZ Fund and are paid to the Erie CRIZ Authority, instead of staying in Harrisburg.

  5. The board reinvests it, in public

    The Authority approves projects at open board meetings and puts the money toward debt service, property acquisition and construction inside the zone. Those projects bring new businesses, and the trip starts again.

Own or lease in the zone?

Start your report

Have a project in mind?

Partner with us

Still have questions?

Following the money, answered.

No. You pay the same taxes you always have. The CRIZ changes where a share of them goes, not how much you owe.

  • No new taxNothing changes at the register, on payroll or on your returns.
  • Today's tax base is protectedRevenue up to the 2024 baseline keeps flowing to the state and city as usual.
  • Only growth is redirectedEligible taxes above the baseline come back to Erie for projects in the zone.
Follow a tax dollar → About the CRIZ →

Check the zone map, or ask us. The 130 acres cover parcels across the Bayfront, State Street and Parade Street.

  • It's parcel by parcelThe zone follows specific properties, so a neighbor on the same block may not be included.
  • Contractors count tooConstruction contractors working on a project inside the zone are qualified businesses for that work.
  • Not sure?Email info@eriecriz.org with your address and we'll confirm.
See the zone map → Email us →

Your taxes for that year don't count toward Erie's CRIZ fund, and the state can charge a non-filing penalty.

  • The money is left outTaxes from a late or incomplete report aren't included in what the state sends back to Erie.
  • A penalty per reportThe lesser of 10 percent of the taxes attributed to the CRIZ or $1,000, for each late or missing report.
  • Help is freeCall or text (484) 951-1289 and our accountant will walk you through it.
Reporting resources → Call for help →

The baseline is what businesses in the zone paid in eligible state taxes during 2024. Growth is measured against it every year.

  • Why 2024Erie's zone was approved before the end of 2024, so 2024 became the base year. That started the program a full year sooner.
  • Existing businessesOnly growth above each business's own baseline counts.
  • New businessesA business that opens in the zone after 2024 has no baseline, so its eligible new tax revenue counts toward the fund.
Open in the zone → Read the insights →

Once a year. After the June 15 reports are certified, the PA Treasurer authorizes payment to the Erie CRIZ Authority by November 4.

  • June 15Businesses in the zone file their annual reports.
  • Summer and fallThe Department of Revenue and local tax office certify growth above the baseline.
  • By November 4Certified funds are paid to the Authority.
See the five steps → Board meetings →

The Erie CRIZ Authority board, in public. Projects are approved by the board and then by the State.

  • Open meetingsFunding decisions happen at board meetings anyone can attend.
  • Inside the zone onlyMoney goes to projects in the zone, through grants, loans and tax increment credits.
  • Plan aheadApproval can take up to six months, so talk to us before plans are final.
Partner with us → Board meetings →