Business News

Reporter Julian Abraham spent the weekend covering the explosion that occurred Friday at a chocolate factory in West Reading.

Three people died and four remain missing in the explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. chocolate-making plant in West Reading. The grim announcement Saturday night came after a day of hope spurred by a victim found alive in the wreckage early in the day.

Goblies Throwable Paintballs and Play Paint are now on shelves in Target and online. The Bethlehem-based products were created by Lehigh University grad Briana Gardell.

Though others have experienced an increase in passenger traffic at Lehigh Valley International Airport, Delta has seen an 18% decline.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Thursday voted to accept recommendations of its Comprehensive Planning Committee for a Bethlehem apartment complex and three area warehouses.

The Allentown Parking Authority hosted a public forum Tuesday night at the Americus Hotel to hear residents' complaints.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said he's long admired the Lehigh Valley's unique ability to build partnerships. It's a skillset he said he hopes to bring to other communities across the state to promote economic growth. Shapiro was keynote speaker at the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. annual meeting in Bethlehem.

A week-long job fair helped to fill 1,500 seasonal positions in preparation for the 2023 season, but hundreds of openings remain for ride operators, security personnel, emergency medical technicians and lifeguards.

Contrasting points of view are at issue with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's decision to relocate its headquarters.

Zoning approval was granted for the 54.4-acre mixed use development at 617 N. Krocks Road including apartments, a hotel and retail space. The development will now have to address comments and submit land development plans to the township.

The restaurant chain will open its new Lehigh Valley location on Dec. 19 and has released more than 200 job opportunties.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is on track to approve a letter raising concerns about the River Pointe industrial development planned for Upper Mount Bethel Township and advising that it goes against regional plans.

City Center inked a deal with Marriott to operate its under-construction boutique hotel, but it's still unknown who will bring acts to the Archer Music Hall next door — a critical piece in driving visitors to both projects.

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.

Less than a week after Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy, court documents show at least 154 stores will close — including an Allentown location.

Union workers at the Mack Trucks assembly plant in Lower Macungie Township went on strike Oct. 9. The two sides are seemingly no closer to an agreement as the walkout is about to enter its third week.

DOE has selected PPL's application for consideration in the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program.

Dorney Park officials said the first piece of Iron Menace arrived Thursday, and represents the first truckload of what will be about 68 total.

The $20 million mixed-use development is offering 75 apartments with one- and two-bedroom varieties among other things.

$2.5 million of renovations are completed for the Victory Firehouse in Southside Bethlehem as BSI Corporate Benefits' new headquarters. The renovations include modern office spaces, technology improvements, a new kitchen and re-adding firehouse-like garage doors.

Allentown officials and City Center representatives have said the new zoning regulations will lay the "framework" for the developer's ambitious plans.

Blackstone Structures’ Gary Newman said he considered refurbishing or moving the buildings in lieu of knocking them down, but those projects were too expensive and infeasible.