A legislative plan recently introduced in the state Senate would help manufacturers retrofit their facilities to begin producing personal protection equipment for those combating the coronavirus pandemic.
The plan is comprised of two bills by state Sens. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) and Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery).
Blake’s bill would create a tax credit program for the costs manufacturers incur while retrofitting their facilities and operations. Manufacturers would be credited up to 100 percent of the costs with a cap of $50 million.
Hughes’ bill would expand the First Industries Program within the Department of Community of Economic Development’s Commonwealth Financing Authority to allow for loan guarantees to businesses that need to borrow money to retrofit facilities.
“It is critical we continue to use our existing infrastructure to find solutions to this pandemic and the needs of our people,” Hughes said. “Pennsylvania businesses have already stepped up to help the larger community in response to the pandemic, and we want to ensure our laws and resources can empower action across the commonwealth. The creative, collaborative response to this pandemic must continue so that we can get through this crisis together in a healthy, safe manner.”
The senators began seeking cosponsors for the bills Friday.