Rep. Mike Kelly to host Ways and Means Committee hearing in Erie. What's on the agenda?

The House Ways and Means Committee — the oldest and arguably most powerful committee of the House of Representatives — will hold a field hearing in Erie on Monday.

The hearing, which begins at 4 p.m. at the Warner Theatre, will be led by U.S. Rep Mike Kelly, of Butler, R-16th Dist. and Chairman Jason Smith, a Republican from Missouri.

The focus of the hearing will be a discussion of Federal Opportunity Zones and other provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act. The committee has traveled the country over the last year seeking feedback on how tax policy affects our lives.

It's no surprise that Erie was selected to host a hearing. Thanks in part to investments by Erie Insurance and Arctaris Impact Investors, Erie has been highlighted nationally as a success story for Opportunity Zone investments, which provide tax incentives to people and organizations who invest capital gains in specially designated low-income areas.

Recently, the new owner of Erie's Renaissance Centre announced that Opportunity Zone investments would be used as part of a $50 million renovation plan.

More: Owner of Erie's tallest building plans a $50 million facelift to include upscale hotel

Drew Whiting, CEO of the EDDC, is encouraging the public to attend the hearing.

"We want to show up as a community with a loud voice of support for Federal Opportunity Zone legislation, which has served as a major catalyst to the investment that we are all witnessing in Erie over the last 5-7 years," he said.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Rep. Kelly to host Ways and Means Committee hearing in Erie