U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi Visits Muskingum Rec Center

United States Congressman Pat Tiberi made a visit to Zanesville and the Muskingum Recreation Center Wednesday.

The purpose of it was to see the results of the New Markets Tax Credits which helped to fund the building of the center. We had the chance to speak to Congressman Tiberi who told us what he thought of the tour.

"This is a shining example of the New Market tax Credit and I know a lot of communities wish they had something like this and there’s just a lot of unknowns about the new market tax credits in local communities so it’s great that this community actually came together with the finance fund and built this great facility here with the help of the New Market Tax Credit."

Tiberi told us not only has the markets tax credits worked to fund the creation of the center but has also allowed for more jobs in the area. The building of the rec center has helped to create 100 construction jobs and 35 full time positions at the Rec Center. Tiberi explained how it was a multi-beneficial project.

"The great part of this, its not just about recreation, its not just about exercise….it’s about jobs, it’s about attracting other jobs because of a great facility that you have here, its just a multi-beneficial tax credit that not only is about economic development, not only about jobs, but about quality of life in a community."

The New Markets Tax Credits were established in 2000 which has allowed for $63 billion in investments in 4,000 businesses on a national level.