The Pennsylvania Senate is trying to throw another life raft to the state's economy, which is swirling in eddies of a proverbial brain drain.

A recent Census Bureau study shows that by the year 2030, the number of people under 18 in Pennsylvania could drop by 176,000 to about 2.8 million.

The government is attempting to halt the exodus of young minds who are the parents of these under 18-year-olds.

Both of these groups are the future of the state, and the legislature is taking notice.

State Senate Bill 632, which would allow business in Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZ) to apply for tax exempt status for a period of 15 years.

The bill, proposed by state Sen. John Wozniak, would lengthen the time currently allowed for this exemption in the 12 KOZ around the state and provide businesses with freedom from sales and use taxes, both local and state, as well as tax deductions, abatements or credits for corporate, franchise, financial institution, income and real estate taxes.

In short, it's a heck of a package for keeping some of the young business people in state and should provide a solid economic foundation.

Furthermore, it's a great tool for the state to attract students from Penn State's Smeal College of Business.

The Smeal College of Business has a sparkling new facility and is turning out several thousand graduates a year.

But if that base leaves the state upon graduation, the loss can be critical for Pennsylvania.

The other problem with a consistent loss of graduates and young, college-aged population is the great potential for further tuition increase, according to Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig.

The decreasing number of in-state students might also force the university to go after out-of-state students more effectively and to change the direction of recruitment to advanced degree students, who have increased in number recently.

Young residents are also key in the effort to revitalize areas that have fallen on hard economic times.

If there is a population base on which the community can rely, draw taxes and build around, then there is the potential for overall growth in that area. And with the sometimes-incredible costs of opening a business, the tax-exempt status should alleviate a major portion of the concern.

Ultimately, the lack of a young population is troubling, even more so when that number is expected to continue to decline.

With the proper tax incentives, of which Senate Bill 632 appears to be one, Pennsylvania can pull itself to dry land in a current of economic uncertainty.