Keystone Innovation Zone
KIZs are designated zones that leverage community/college partnerships to create and grow businesses in zone-specific target industries. The Huntingdon County/Juniata College KIZ, a partnership between Huntingdon County Business and Industry (HCBI) and Juniata College, is targeting Information Technology and Life Sciences companies. Currently 29 other KIZs exist across the Commonwealth.
KIZ Companies
KIZ companies are defined as those businesses in one of the target industries (Information Technology or Life Sciences) less than 8 years old and within the geographical boundaries of the zone.
Geographical Boundaries
The geographical area for the Huntingdon County/Juniata College KIZ includes the Sill Business Incubator, Historic Downtown Huntingdon and other areas in Huntingdon Borough and Smithfield Township. Map of the KIZ
KIZ Benefits
- Tax Credits = 50% increase in gross revenue over 2 year period (tax credits not used by the KIZ company can be sold to other companies within PA)
- Increased access to Department of Community and Economic Development funds (including R+D)
- Locally-developed KIZ Intern Program
- Aids in employee attraction and retention
- Increased Hands-on Learning Opportunities for our Students
- Complements POE in Entrepreneurship
- Student Seed Capital can be used to form KIZ companies
- Opportunities to work in a start-up while an undergraduate through KIZ Intern program
- Enhanced Level of Support for Juniata Faculty
- Spin-out companies from faculty research and expertise often meet KIZ company definition (and therefore are eligible for benefits for KIZ companies)
- Access to network of entrepreneurial support organizations throughout state (for tech transfer, launching a venture or locating classroom speakers)
KIZ Partnership
A strong and interconnected network serves to provide support for our KIZ companies. Led by Huntingdon County Business and Industry (HCBI) and Juniata College the partnership also includes:
- Ben Franklin Technology PArtners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania
- Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum
- Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce
- Huntingdon County Commissioners
- Huntingdon County Planning and Development
- Huntingdon County Enterprise Zone Revolving Loan Fund
- Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central Pennsylvania
- Saint Francis University Small Business Development Center
More Information
If you are interested in learning more about the KIZ, please contact Lorenn Schouppe-Wright, Director of the KIZ at lswright@hcbi.com.