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The following article was printed in the January 2, 2017 edition of the LV Business Journal Carbon County - “the Lehigh Valley’s playground” - has much to offer visitors seeking fun, adventure, outdoor recreation, history, dining, shopping, accommodations and relaxation in all seasons. The county also features a number of quaint, small towns and boroughs, including Jim Thorpe, Palmerton, Lehighton, Lansford, Weatherly, Summit Hill and PennKidder. All are home to passionate small-business owners offering distinctive products and services. With the continued theme of “Find Your Fun in Carbon County,” tourism tops Carbon industries in bringing jobs and revenue to the county. For example, the Delaware & Lehigh Trail is a huge contributor, bringing in more than $7.5 million in revenue to the county alone. And that number is sure to increase with plans to build a pedestrian bridge in Jim Thorpe and completion of connectivity projects between Lehighton and Weissport and in East Penn Township by 2020. “The completion of several key infrastructure projects, paired with the promise to relieve businesses from cumbersome federal regulations, gives me an optimistic outlook for 2017 in Carbon County,” said state Rep. Doyle Heffley. MANUFACTURING GAINS Industry is on the rise in Carbon County. “Manufacturing is very important to the economic base in the county,” said Kathy Henderson, director of economic development at the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corp. Last year, KME in Nesquehoning was acquired by the REV Group, a leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles for commercial fire and emergency and recreational markets. The company plans to invest in the Nesquehoning site to streamline its production capabilities. “Ampal, a leading manufacturer of aluminum powder, moved a portion of their operations from New Jersey to their existing plant in Palmerton,” Henderson said, “and the Fortune 500 company Sharps Compliance Inc. opened its first Northeast processing facility in Nesquehoning.” HEALTH CARE EXPANSION St. Luke’s University Health Network began to build medical offices in Lehighton and Lansford, and Lehigh Valley Health Network recently opened an office in Lehighton - proof that the health care industry is expanding in the county, as well. “There are many exciting projects in the works in Carbon County, both large and small,” Henderson said, adding that “2017 is already shaping up to be a very good support of the Carbon chamber in helping projects such as the expansion of the Delaware & Lehigh Trail, facilitating job growth with the addition of Sharps Compliance and its “ever-constant drive in building the tourism industry.” TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS A number of infrastructure projects have been completed throughout the area,including road and bridge construction. For example, 2016 brought the completion of the much-needed Route 903 bridge replacement and the demolition of the old bridge, regaining 200-plus parking spaces lost during construction. “This created a major issue with lack of parking for tourism the last three years. Parking lots were filled before noon, even on weekdays,” Wayne Nothstein, county commissioner, said of the project. “... A good problem to have; I see the need for additional parking due to the continued growth of tourism in Carbon County.” BEAUTIFICATION Carbon Chamber & Economic Development has benefited in a number of ways in partnering with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to the Main Street Lehigh Valley Chamber Foundation, more than $10,000 was invested in beautification projects across the county. Projects include welcome signs, self-watering planters, improved gateways and street lighting. Supporting such projects beautifies Carbon’s small towns, attracts visitors and brings local pride to residents. “Our region is blessed with an incredibly dedicated and trained workforce, which often serves as a catalyst for businesses to relocate to our area,” Heffley said. INVESTMENTS IN TOURISM Blue Mountain Resort in Lower Towamensing Township is undergoing development to add 135 guest rooms for year-round visitors. The resort also has permits for a spa/hot springs and waterpark. Blue Mountain expects to break ground on the hotel condominium and spa/hot springs projects in spring 2018. “The increased investments in our local tourism industry, the Keystone Opportunity Zone off [Interstate] 80, tax credits for waste coal plants, growth of the energy industry and our great natural resources provide substantial opportunities for many industries to grow roots in Carbon County,” Heffley said.“... I foresee the creation of family sustaining jobs based on the positive business climate offered by our region. ... I look forward to what 2017 will bring.” By Marlyn Kissner Executive Director, CCEDC
The following article was printed in the January 2, 2017 edition of the LV Business Journal
Carbon County - “the Lehigh Valley’s playground” - has much to offer visitors seeking fun, adventure, outdoor recreation, history, dining, shopping, accommodations and relaxation in all seasons. The county also features a number of quaint, small towns and boroughs, including Jim Thorpe, Palmerton, Lehighton, Lansford, Weatherly, Summit Hill and PennKidder. All are home to passionate small-business owners offering distinctive products and services. With the continued theme of “Find Your Fun in Carbon County,” tourism tops Carbon industries in bringing jobs and revenue to the county. For example, the Delaware & Lehigh Trail is a huge contributor, bringing in more than $7.5 million in revenue to the county alone. And that number is sure to increase with plans to build a pedestrian bridge in Jim Thorpe and completion of connectivity projects between Lehighton and Weissport and in East Penn Township by 2020.
“The completion of several key infrastructure projects, paired with the promise to relieve businesses from cumbersome federal regulations, gives me an optimistic outlook for 2017 in Carbon County,” said state Rep. Doyle Heffley.
MANUFACTURING GAINS Industry is on the rise in Carbon County. “Manufacturing is very important to the economic base in the county,” said Kathy Henderson, director of economic development at the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corp. Last year, KME in Nesquehoning was acquired by the REV Group, a leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles for commercial fire and emergency and recreational markets. The company plans to invest in the Nesquehoning site to streamline its production capabilities. “Ampal, a leading manufacturer of aluminum powder, moved a portion of their operations from New Jersey to their existing plant in Palmerton,” Henderson said, “and the Fortune 500 company Sharps Compliance Inc. opened its first Northeast processing facility in Nesquehoning.” HEALTH CARE EXPANSION St. Luke’s University Health Network began to build medical offices in Lehighton and Lansford, and Lehigh Valley Health Network recently opened an office in Lehighton - proof that the health care industry is expanding in the county, as well. “There are many exciting projects in the works in Carbon County, both large and small,” Henderson said, adding that “2017 is already shaping up to be a very good support of the Carbon chamber in helping projects such as the expansion of the Delaware & Lehigh Trail, facilitating job growth with the addition of Sharps Compliance and its “ever-constant drive in building the tourism industry.”
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS A number of infrastructure projects have been completed throughout the area,including road and bridge construction. For example, 2016 brought the completion of the much-needed Route 903 bridge replacement and the demolition of the old bridge, regaining 200-plus parking spaces lost during construction. “This created a major issue with lack of parking for tourism the last three years. Parking lots were filled before noon, even on weekdays,” Wayne Nothstein, county commissioner, said of the project. “... A good problem to have; I see the need for additional parking due to the continued growth of tourism in Carbon County.”
BEAUTIFICATION Carbon Chamber & Economic Development has benefited in a number of ways in partnering with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to the Main Street Lehigh Valley Chamber Foundation, more than $10,000 was invested in beautification projects across the county. Projects include welcome signs, self-watering planters, improved gateways and street lighting. Supporting such projects beautifies Carbon’s small towns, attracts visitors and brings local pride to residents. “Our region is blessed with an incredibly dedicated and trained workforce, which often serves as a catalyst for businesses to relocate to our area,” Heffley said.
INVESTMENTS IN TOURISM Blue Mountain Resort in Lower Towamensing Township is undergoing development to add 135 guest rooms for year-round visitors. The resort also has permits for a spa/hot springs and waterpark. Blue Mountain expects to break ground on the hotel condominium and spa/hot springs projects in spring 2018. “The increased investments in our local tourism industry, the Keystone Opportunity Zone off [Interstate] 80, tax credits for waste coal plants, growth of the energy industry and our great natural resources provide substantial opportunities for many industries to grow roots in Carbon County,” Heffley said.“... I foresee the creation of family sustaining jobs based on the positive business climate offered by our region. ... I look forward to what 2017 will bring.” By Marlyn Kissner Executive Director, CCEDC