The Entertainment Economic Enhancement Program under the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is an initiative to promote cultural and economic investment in Pennsylvania’s music industry. Concert tours that come to the state may receive a tax credit if they employ and contract with Pennsylvania-based vendors and businesses for certain tour expenses. Venues are classified depending on their location, capacity, and ownership. For example, tours that visit Class 3 locations, including in Neighborhood Improvement Zones (NIZ), may be eligible for additional tax credits.
 
However, publicly-accessible program guidelines have not been able to keep pace with recent program changes, and the application process has become difficult. Additionally, there is a lack of transparency on which venues, vendors, and other potential partners may qualify for a tax credit. My legislation would address these issues by adding City Revitalization Improvement Zone (CRIZ) locations like the City of Reading as Class 3 venues, clarifying application guidelines by having eligible tours apply directly to DCED and contract with Pennsylvania companies instead of working through a private intermediary, and improving transparency by requiring DCED to publish program information including approved awards and available funding.
 
These solutions will provide opportunities to attract more concert tours to new communities
while increasing economic impacts for Pennsylvania companies, and applicants and communities will better understand how program funds are being used. Please join me in these efforts to improve this important program for communities across the Commonwealth.