Business News

The Small Business Council of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized local businesses with Excellence in Business Awards on Wednesday at Northampton Country Club.

Few, if any, bridges in Pennsylvania insulate the steel beams in their decks, PennDOT Deputy Secretary Mike Rebert said Wednesday. High-intensity fires capable of destabilizing those bridges are rare, but do happen.

Democrats in Pennsylvania are optimistic that Republicans will finally agree to raise the state's minimum wage after years of debate. A Republican member of the state Senate's leadership team is leading a bill to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour, providing hope for a resolution, although challenges remain in the GOP-controlled state Senate.

Cold Nose Lodge, which opened in October 2008, is expanding its location in Alburtis. They'll hold a groundbreaking party on June 26 at the facility.

The Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission recommended approval for the nearly 59-acre Lehigh Valley Town Center project, including its TopGolf component. Township commissioners could give the green light at their July meeting.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors reported home sales dropped 22% in May — normally a busy season. Increased interest rates and tight inventory in Lehigh and Northampton counties were driving the figures, according to GLVR.

A developer is seeking approval for an 868-unit self-storage facility on Hanover Avenue on Allentown's East Side, but the official notice for a zoning hearing advertised 749 units.

The Lehigh County District Attorney's office brought a successful lawsuit against Lowhill Township, arguing they unlawfully appointed supervisor Curtis Dietrich.

The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley raised a record $22.6 million in the campaign that ended earlier this year. It supports programs and agencies in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties.

The Macungie Diner will be opening Monday, according to a message from its Facebook page

Council officials will have the final say on the expenditures outlook, which includes how the city plans to pay for everything from protected bike lanes along West Broad Street to new trees and lights at Rose Garden Park to an armored vehicle replacement for police.

Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board heard from experts representing a developer that hopes to build a warehouse on South Church Street. The hearing ended after three hours and will resume next month.

Pennsylvania saw 201.6 million visitors, generating $49.9 billion in visitor spending and $83.9 billion in economic impact in 2024. In the Lehigh Valley, visitor spending increased 1.5%, generating just over $2.5 billion.

A recent donation to the Lehigh Valley's County Animal Response Team, or LVCART, will provide the agency with life-saving equipment to aid pets within the first 72 hours after an emergency is declared.

The nonprofit has added almost $400,000 to its bank account since securing $300,000 in "foundational support" from Allentown officials.

Okatshe, a Japanese-themed restaurant/bar, expected to open next month.

The Lehigh Valley Vegan Chef Challenge is asking local eateries to put their best plant-based dishes forward, and for the community to rate their favorites to find a champion.

PPL will hold a small appliance recycling event, scheduled for Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20, that will accept room air conditioners and dehumidifiers in working condition, according to a release.

Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone's workforce housing ordinance passed council on Wednesday, launching a new program to promote affordable residences for those who fall in the middle income bracket.

The venue on Thursday touted the installation of a massive, high-definition videoboard that nearly doubles the size of the original display installed in 2014.

Gas prices are going up for UGI customers in the near future, but the rate hike will be lower than expected after a settlement announced Thursday with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

Plainfield Township's board of supervisors voted Wednesday to exempt landfills from steep slope rules to allow Grand Central Landfill to expand. The body voted down a measure allowing dumps by right in the township's waste processing zone.