Business News

Pennsylvania's new $47.6 billion budget sets aside $500 million to improve old industrial sites so new businesses can expand or relocate to the properties.

A text scam is making its rounds again, according to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Recipients are urged to not click the link in the text.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is expected to visit the Bethlehem Steel General Office Building on Tuesday to promote his $500 million shovel-ready development program. The program was funded in the recently approved $47.6 billion 2024-2025 state budget.

Gov. John Shapiro last month signed HB 1333 into law, which allows for recycled materials to be used in stuffed toys manufactured and sold statewide. In the Lehigh Valley, one toy manufacturer plans to launch a sustainable line.

For decades, the land that is now Green Knight Industrial Park in Wind Gap, Plainfield Twp. and Bushkill Twp. contained a pile of 2,000,000 tires. On Thursday, officials cut the ribbon on the park's first completed building, a 50,000-square-foot warehouse.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission issued 19 recommendations for PPL Electric to improve upon, including fixing its poor customer service and restoring power to customers faster following an outage.

The Lehigh County Redevelopment Authority approved a contract between Elias Property Group and Synergy Environmental Group for $67,000 for an environmental study at the former Lehigh Valley Dairy site.

The $208 million will also produce 295 new union jobs, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey’s announcement said, though it’s unclear what cut of the funding the Macungie facility is getting or the number of new jobs expected locally.

Northampton County officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for a new maintenance building for groundskeepers, replacing a more-than-century-old wooden barn the Parks Department currently uses.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh/Bucks, is looking to force his predecessor, now Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne, to release tax returns about Allentown's Neighborhood Improvement Zone. Browne, who crafted the NIZ, has worked to keep the information confidential for five years.

In a hearing in Bethlehem Wednesday, officials responsible for oversight of Wind Creek said they didn't know of any reason the casino shouldn't be allowed to operate for another five years. Casino officials also share plans for capital spending, including new restaurants and a site plan in progress for the former Bethlehem Steel works.

The Lehigh Valley will soon get its first Raising Cane's. The Louisiana-based fast food restaurant offers chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, Texas Toast and its signature "Cane's Sauce."

Lehigh Valley International Airport officials cut the ribbon Thursday on a new restaurant. Two more new eateries will open there later this year.

A release from PPL said scams are up 250% over 2023. Customers are urged to report scams to 1-800-342-5775.

Easton City Council approved a new Project Stabilization Agreement with the Greater Lehigh Valley Building and Construction Trades Council that could lead to more local union workers scoring high-cost government projects.

Taxpayers will foot the bill for lawyers on both sides if issues between Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and council end up in court.

Bethlehem Parking Authority officials said the Walnut Street Garage is on track to meet its scheduled completion date. But there's still no word on what will go in next to the garage.

U.S. Specialty Formulations, based in Allentown, announced Wednesday it would expand its biopharma facility by $15 million. As a result, the expansion could add over 100 jobs to the area.

Valley Youth House announced it received a $1 million gift from the Topper Foundation. The nonprofit agency plans to place the money in its endowment fund to support local programs.

After more than a year of hard work, Easton's South Side saw the grand opening of Bravo Supermarket on Tuesday, offering city residents much-needed access to fresh food and pantry staples.

Lehigh Valley planning officials on Tuesday suggested the city install physical barriers, including curbs and walls, between the road and plaza to ensure pedestrians' safety.

The Upper Macungie Planning Commission last week unanimously recommended final approval for a plan to expand XPO Logistics, a freight transportation company.