Business News

Lehigh Valley residents attended a state Public Utility Commission hearing on Tuesday to oppose a proposed rate increase by PPL Electric Utilities. It would be the first rate increase in almost a decade.

Testimony began Monday in hearings that could decide what sort of businesses are allowed at homes throughout North Whitehall Township — and whether one resident’s long-running car repair business can keep operating.

The developer behind a proposed 37-story skyscraper in Allentown asked planning officials for another delay.

Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners approved a $36.7 million budget for 2026 Monday. Several residents attended the meeting to oppose the real estate tax increase, the first in the township since 2019.

The Allentown Parking Authority, state Sen. Nick Miller, D-Lehigh/Northampton, and the City of Allentown have opened a request for proposals for the redevelopment of the 100 block of North Seventh Street.

Northampton County Council passed its $503 million budget for 2026 Thursday night, keeping taxes stable for the eighth year in a row.

General real estate taxes will stay flat in South Whitehall Township next year, its fire tax will rise 0.28 of a mill and residents will see a new 0.1% income tax to fund open space preservation.

The Lehigh Valley is projected to have significant increases in employment and population up to 2050.

After more than a year of meetings, plan review and expert testimony, Easton Planning Commission on Wednesday denied an application for a million-square-foot warehouse at 1525 Wood Ave.

Whitehall Township's proposed budget includes the first real estate tax increase since 2019. Township commissioners are expected to vote on the spending plan next week.

El Jefe Taqueria in Bethlehem is expected to reopen this month. The popular Mexican restaurant has been closed since May because of water damage from a fire in an above apartment complex.

The first phase of the project is to cost about $2.3 million and is “shovel ready,” according to Mandy Tolino, who leads Allentown’s parks and recreation department.

Historic Hotel Bethlehem was celebrated Wednesday for being chosen by USA Today as one of the nation’s 10 Best Historic Hotels/Resorts for the fifth consecutive year.

Easton City Council at a Tuesday meeting took a look at the capital improvement plan for the next five years, highlighting projects such as pool rehabilitation, waterfront development, fire station work and more.

Wind Creek Bethlehem held a preview Tuesday for its latest restaurant: Bethlehem Barrel and Drafthouse.

Resurrected Community Life Church is renovating its building on West Turner Street to serve more than 1,000 young students in Allentown.

Fellowship Community's revised sewage facilities plan for its expansion project can be submitted to the state for approval, Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners voted Monday.

Upper Milford Township Zoning Hearing Board met Monday to discuss a variance request to extend the available space at the TG Countryside ice cream shop to become a retail smoke and tobacco store. Residents packed the meeting to speak out against it.

Residents who spoke to LehighValleyNews.com said they don’t know where they will go; the camp near Tilghman Street was an oasis for many who previously lived alone or in small groups.

Cupid Foundations Inc. opened its design studio, CupidIntimates, on West Lehigh Street in Bethlehem in 1987. It's still designing original shapewear that it manufactures and sells in department stores and other national retailers.

Dry Goods, a Davenport, Iowa, subsidiary of the family-owned Von Maur Department Stores, sells apparel, shoes, jewelry and accessories.

Administrators of the Northampton County-owned Gracedale nursing home shared a new strategic plan Thursday. One key priority: recruiting new nurses and nurse aides to fill hundreds of open positions.