EASTON, Pa. — Northampton County Council on Thursday voted 6-3 to override County Executive Lamont McClure's veto of a measure to extend developer tax breaks in Upper Mt. Bethel Township.
- Northampton County Council voted 6-3 to extend LERTA tax breaks for industrial lad in Upper Mt. Bethel Township
- Much of the district is set t become River Pointe Commerce Park, a massive industrial development
- County Manager Lamont McClure vetoed the measure earlier this month in order to negotiate limits restricting the tax breaks to manufacturing
The tax breaks, first approved in 2018 and otherwise set to expire, exempt developments of designated “deteriorated” properties from part of assessed property taxes.
This month, county council approved a controversial five-year extension of a Local Economic Relief Tax Assistance district covering much of Upper Mount Bethel’s industrial-zoned land, despite a promised veto from McClure.
Much of the land covered by the Upper Mt. Bethel LERTA district is set to become River Pointe Commerce Park, a massive industrial park.
“This is sort of a radical undertaking. Having the LERTA benefit only go to manufacturing is a huge step forward in our fight against warehouse proliferation.”Northampton County Manager Lamont McClure
McClure asked council to sustain his veto, submitted Monday, so he can negotiate restrictions that would exempt warehouses from LERTA tax exemptions.
“This is sort of a radical undertaking,” McClure said Thursday during his report to council. “Having the LERTA benefit only go to manufacturing is a huge step forward in our fight against warehouse proliferation.”
He said he already started negotiations with developer Lou Pektor, of Bethlehem, and that discussions had been productive.
Pektor previously said he intends for the complex to house large-scale manufacturing and is courting “international” companies drawn to the site by rail access, proximity to highways and ample electricity.
