Business News

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

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

As part of a broader initiative to assist small businesses in Easton recovering from the pandemic, the Business Retention Assistance of the City of Easton Program is offering grants to local businesses across the city.

Easton City Council introduced an ordinance to amend its ARPA budget on April 9. It will see half a million dollars go toward repairs on the Ferry Street sanitary line.

Palmer Township's board of supervisors and planning commission approved plans for two new car washes in the area during their Monday and Tuesday meetings this week.

Allentown planning officials granted a one-year extension to Cortex Residential as it awaits state funding for its project.

Palmer Supervisors voted to request a Post Traffic Impact Study from developers behind the massive Easton Commerce Park warehouse project, which is anticipated to cause significant traffic issues in and around the area.

Easton Public Market is welcoming a slew of new vendors as they fight to win USA Today's 10BEST Award for Best Public Market, an honor they earned in 2023.

After being open two years under Giacomo Sgroi, a new family will take over Nonna's Italian Market in Bethlehem. They said fan-favorites will stay, but they plan to bring some new items to the table.

The Downtown Allentown Market "did not meet our long-term expectations," a City Center executive said.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Pennsylvania rose about 14 cents this week, from $3.261 to $3.405.

Mack Trucks will display a 100-year-old Mack AB model tractor manufactured in Allentown at the 125th New York International Auto Show April 18-27.

The newly opened YMCA River Crossing child care center in Whitehall is the ninth such center opened by the YMCA in the Lehigh Valley.

Lehigh Valley business experts said it's too soon to determine how President Donald Trump's across-the-board tariffs of 10% or more will affect the economy but acknowledged that stakes are high.

Gov. Josh Shapiro made an appearance at Fegley's Brew Works in Bethlehem Wednesday to speak out on tariffs and how they could impact small businesses across the Lehigh Valley, including its thriving craft brewery scene.