Act 690

Purpose:

Act 690 allows cities and counties to establish an Authority to develop industrial sites and acquire, equip, construct, maintain and operate regional freight transportation facilities.

Key Features of Act 690:

1. Regional Authorities may enter into contracts and acquire, own, lease, sell real and mixed property.
2. Apply for, receive and use grants-in-aid, donations and contributions from any source and may raise funds by issuance of revenue bonds.
3. Authorized to enforce rules and statutes relating to its facilities that includes minimum building codes.
4. May establish and operate a foreign trade or sub-trade zone.
5. Can create and operate an improvement district.
6. Can levy and collect a tax or fee on users of Authority’s facilities.

Potential Benefits:

1. A regional approach to further economic growth.
2. Effective tool to enhance existing freight facilities and industrial sites and to develop new infrastructure.
3. Method to form public/private partnerships to improve freight transportation modes.
4. Allows cities and counties to combine funding resources for projects.