Business News

City planners meet at 5 p.m. Thursday at Bethlehem Town Hall, 10 E. Church St. The proposal for the former Wells Fargo is listed fourth on an agenda of five items.

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.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro sent a scathing letter to the president and CEO of Norfolk Southern on Tuesday, calling out the company for making emergency management decisions without consulting state and local leaders and for prioritizing its railroad operations over “a safer overall approach” for local residents and the environment, after a train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio last week.

Allentown City Planning Commission on Tuesday approved the construction of a 49-unit apartment building and parking garage on West Hamilton Street. The complex would house primary occupants 55-and-older and adults with disabilities. Representatives of the neighboring music school voiced concerns about increased traffic and the safety of students, parents, and staff.

The massive "Lehigh Valley Town Center" mixed-use development proposal has been amended to include other potential entertainment anchors alongside Topgolf, including a performance venue and aquarium or nature center and is on its way to future hearings

PPL Electric Utilities, which has been under fire for a recent billing error that impacted thousands, said more than 100,000 customers are paying more for their electricity than they need to.

The Lehigh Valley is a desirable place to live. But as more move to the region, the volume of affordable housing is shrinking. A quality-of-life survey shows it's a major concern of those who live here.

The cafe's union is among the nation's first to negotiate with the chain, on account of upcoming renovations.

The Allentown City Planning Commission on Tuesday approved plans for the construction of the Archer Music Hall on Hamilton Street.

Bethlehem residents living near the proposed apartments shared concerns about the project with the city's development commission

Animal shelters are becoming more of a community affair, according to Sarah Wees, the new executive director of the Center for Animal Health and Welfare in Easton.

In a pinch for that special someone? Easton Public Market is open Tuesday with vendors offering traditional items like flowers and chocolate — even fresh food to cook your sweetie a romantic dinner.

The Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley held a service Friday calling for donations to be made to recovery efforts and voicing some hope as many in the area feel personal impacts from the tragedy.

While supermarket inflation is still high, there are savings to be found on Super Bowl snacks. Prices for chicken wings and guacamole have fallen sharply since last year's big game.