Planned MedExpress urgent care to get tax break

A planned MedExpress urgent care facility in a Schuylkill County shopping plaza will get a 50 percent tax break as it provides convenient medical services and much-needed jobs.

Commissioners on Thursday agreed to implement a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance for new construction of the urgent care at the Coal Creek Commerce Center, along Route 61 in St. Clair.

The project is a “shot in the arm,” said Commissioner Frank J. Staudenmeier.

“We have some wins and we have some losses here in Schuylkill County. Business development is just as important as business retention, and this is a big plus as far as business development,” he said.

The LERTA tax abatement program was created in April 1977 as an incentive for development of undesirable properties.

The mall is built on former coal fields.

Under LERTA, property owners pay the full bill on land taxes, while taxes on improvements to the land, such as buildings, gradually increase over 10 years.

The tax abatement program must be approved by all taxing bodies. The St. Clair borough approved it in July, and the school district on Wednesday.

The Coal Creek center is owned by the Rich Family Companies.

The 21-parcel center currently houses a block of stores including Sophy Jewelers, Dunkin’ Donuts and Uma Japanese hibachi restaurant close to Route 61, an Aspen Dental and a Taco Bell across the entrance road from that block, and a Walmart, Home Depot and Tractor Supply in the back.

MedExpress will be built near the Aspen Dental and the Taco Bell.

County Administrator Gary R. Bender said the real estate tax on the new business will be for 10 years.

The urgent care is included in Phase III of the center’s development, said Robert B. Hoppe, director of development for builder/developer JMB Ltd., Gilberton.

He said plans include an additional 50,000 square feet of retail building.

“As part of that development, we realized there would be additional costs that were not anticipated for infrastructure, such as water and utilities. That’s the reason we’ve requested the LERTA,” Hoppe said.

MedExpress has administrative offices in Canonsburg, Washington County.

Anne M. Jamieson, Senior Director, External Communications, described the company.

“MedExpress is a neighborhood health care provider. We offer urgent care, employer health and basic wellness and prevention services to help ensure families and employers have access to patient-centric care when they need it. This means we offer walk-in treatment for everyday illness and injury, which includes more advanced offerings such as X-rays, IVs, labs, minor surgery, stitches and treatment for sprains and broken bones. In addition, local employers and their employees can use MedExpress for workers’ compensation, injury care and pre-employment screenings and physicals. Our wellness services include sports physicals, routine physicals and immunizations,” she said.

The facility will also bring jobs to the area.

“We’re honored to join the community as a local employer. We’ll hire a dedicated team of approximately 20 health care professionals, including customer service representatives and a full medical team which includes providers, nurses, medical assistants and radiologic technologists. As we treat more patients, we’ll continue adding to our team,” Jamieson said.

People can apply for the jobs by visiting medexpress.com/careers.

MedExpress is no stranger to Pennsylvania. The company has 53 locations in the state; St. Clair will be the 54th.

Hoppe said he anticipates groundbreaking to begin soon. An opening date has yet to be determined.