Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce News Newswire

U.S. economy should ‘grow modestly’ in 2026. Here’s why, economist tells Lehigh Valley business leaders - The Morning Call

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:01:04 GMT

Evan Jones | ejones@mcall.com | The Morning Call

The U.S. economy is expected to grow at a rate of 2.3% in 2026, an economist from Truist bank told members of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce during its annual Economic Outlook.

Speaking virtually to a sold-out audience Tuesday at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, the bank’s head of U.S. economics, Michael Skordeles, said the nation should expect a slight uptick this year. A rise in consumer spending with higher tax refunds along with wage growth outpacing inflation should help it rise from last year’s 2%. However, there are some potential pitfalls.

“We see a modest upward move through 2026,” Skordeles said. “But it’s not all sunshine and unicorns; there are still definitely challenges.”

That includes inflation, which is at 2.7%, creeping up as businesses continue passing tariff costs to consumers. Job creation is on the increase, but it’s not at a rate that thrills economists.

“There will be about 75,000 new jobs per month, on average, over the course of the year,” Skordeles said. “It’s not very exciting and certainly below average. We’re likely to have this low-hire, low-fire environment for a while.”

What’s driving the growth?

Skordeles said four things are driving the increase:

Tax incentives for consumers and businesses that include larger tax refunds because state and local tax caps — known as SALT — were lifted under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” along with additional credits for child care and Social Security. With more money in their pockets, consumers will be spending more.
Interest rates are expected to be cut by the Federal Reserve, moving toward a 3% target, which can lower borrowing costs.
While there is some tension and uncertainty around tariffs, businesses are getting used to the landscape.
Businesses are moving forward with massive and multiyear investments in artificial intelligence, along with supporting infrastructure such as data centers and power grids.

“That’s why I think we’re going to get this upticking growth,” Skordeles said. “Many of the tax incentives are on the consumer side, but also certainly for businesses. We have the Fed continuing to cut rates. We’ve got tariff stability, but it’s not going to be full clarity. We’ve got a lot of moving parts down that front. Nonetheless, you’re not sneaking up on anybody.”

As for AI, he said, it’s probably the most impactful development for the Lehigh Valley and beyond.

“This is a big piece of the growth that we’ve seen the last couple of years,” Skordeles said.

What could go wrong?

Skordeles cautioned there still could be some “headwinds” that may push back against growth.

He termed the labor market as the “cheat code” for the economy. “As long as people have jobs, they spend money.”

It was noted that small and medium-sized businesses may pull back on hiring if they don’t see gains on AI investments. Also, there is a labor shortage in places such as the Lehigh Valley as companies struggle to find workers while bringing manufacturing back to the U.S.

While inflation is certainly a lot lower than it was in recent years, it isn’t expected to continue moving downward at a predictable rate. The reason, Skordeles said, is companies that anticipate tariffs are passing costs to consumers, especially with such products as electronics, motor vehicle parts and footwear. Also on the upswing are energy costs as data centers consume more power.

Other factors negatively affecting the economy, Skordeles said, could include government dysfunction with potential shutdowns and housing affordability. While mortgage rates are expected to fall, median home prices are still going up.

“You can’t refinance the price of the house,” Skordeles said.

Jobs update

Sarah Lutz, assistant executive director for Workforce Board Lehigh Valley, gave the yearly update on jobs in the region and which way they’re headed.

Using statistics developed with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Lutz said the population will increase by 128,000 and bring in 80,000 new jobs by 2050.

The sector seeing the biggest growth is expected to be transportation and warehousing, increasing from 30,000 to 80,000 jobs in the next 25 years.

Lutz said there will be challenges fitting these new people into the Valley.

“Population growth is going to strain our core systems, our housing market will tighten, the highways and the bus stops will be crowded,” Lutz said. “We need more bus routes to get folks to and from work, we’ll have more patients that need care, more working parents that need child care and more children in our schools.”

Energy challenges

PPL Electric Utilities President Christine Martin said electricity is the “new workforce” that is powering regional expansion.

She said the Allentown utility company has invested $13 billion in improvements in the last decade and plans another $7 billion through 2028. Businesses looking to come into the Lehigh Valley want to know about the reliability of energy systems.

“Some things that we hear about more and more these days, include their storage, analytics and AI, that keep going rapidly,” Martin said.

Grid modernizations have reduced outage frequency by 30% in the past year, she said.

Economist: 2026 economy should see a nice uptick - Lehigh Valley Business

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:59:59 GMT

Stacy Wescoe//January 27, 2026//

While not everything is coming up sunshine, the economy is looking to have a slight uptick in 2026.

Speaking at the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook, Michael Skordeles, head of U.S. Economics and senior vice president of Truist Advisory Services, said he expects to see about 2.3% economic growth in 2026, slightly better than the normal 2%.

Of course, the big theme of what is driving much of the economic growth both locally and nationally is the growth of artificial intelligence and getting the infrastructure in place to meet the demand.

“Adoption and infrastructure in AI is a big piece of the growth we’ve seen over the past few years,” Skordeles said.

Christine Martin, president of PPL Electric utilities, said “electricity has become the new workforce” as the power industry tries to prepare for the increasing surge in demand from data centers and other technology hubs.

And it’s not just data centers, she said other things such as the electrification of vehicles is ramping up the demand for electricity and It’s up to the industry to make sure it makes the right investments to make sure it can keep up with the demand while maintaining affordability for customers.

Part of PPL’s effort has been working with the PJM regional grid operator, which covers electric distribution across 13 states and Washington, D.C.

She said operators need to work together to make sure distribution needs are met, but she also called for more utility input into power generation to help guide the future of power availability.

Overall, Skordeles said the economy needs to “adopt and adapt” to maintain its positive growth.

He said issues from AI and technology to shifting trade policy and tariffs all need to be watched closely.

While the housing market remains a pain point in the economy with high prices and low inventory, lowered interest rates are impacting mortgage rates.

He said the fed has lowered the interest rate 1.75% in the last 18 months, and that is showing up now in lower mortgage rates. Still, he said it’s not enough to cure the housing crunch, especially with lower new home construction over the past 15 years.

Consumer spending, he said, remains robust. However, he did say that consumer spending increases are growing faster among higher income consumers, than lower income consumers.

Gas prices have helped across the board as drastically lower prices have put more money back into people’s pockets.

“It’s giving consumers more breathing room,” Skordeles said. “When you give people money, they spend it.”

He noted that retail sales are currently at record highs, as is spending at bars and restaurants. While some of that is because of inflation rising the prices, spending is up overall, especially in services versus goods.

On the horizon, Skordeles told the crowd he expects there will be continued concern over trade issues, although he doesn’t see it being as bad as 2025, and any governmental disruption – including another shutdown, could negatively impact the economy.

He does expect the fed to lower the interest rate even further, probably by spring. He said he thinks they’re aiming for closer to 3% interest in the future.

'Modest' uptick, but not all 'sunshine and unicorns': Sizing up the 2026 economy at Chamber event - WFMZ

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:58:14 GMT

BETHLEHEM, Pa.- After muddling through 2025, the U.S. economy will see a modest uptick this year, said Michael Skordeles, head of U.S. economics for Truist Advisory Services.

Skordeles was the featured speaker for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Lehigh Valley Economic Outlook event, which was held Tuesday at a packed ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

While several speakers took a turn at the podium to share their thoughts on everything from future job growth in the Lehigh Valley to the role of energy in economic development, Skordeles appeared virtually from Atlanta, Georgia. The recent snowstorm dashed his plans to be at the event in person.

Tweaking the program at the last minute was somewhat apropos, because adopting and adapting, Skordeles said, will be the overall theme for the economy this year: "We are adopting things like AI (artificial intelligence) and new technology, but we're also adapting to things like shifting trade policy and tariffs and other things."

Truist is expecting about 2.3% U.S. economic growth in 2026, compared to 2.0% last year. Average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth from 2010-2019 was 2.4%.

"It's an uptick, not some big re-acceleration," Skordeles said, of the 2026 prediction. "So please don't walk away saying, 'Oh, he was all roses and sunshine and unicorns.' That's definitely not the case. There are certainly headwinds."

Those headwinds include the aforementioned T-word: tariffs. "The problem here is that there's still a lot of uncertainty, where some things are moving back and forth," Skordeles said. "Prices haven't moved up to entirely reflect all of the tariffs. Some of that's going to bleed through. I think it is going to boost inflation a little bit of in the near term."

In addition, housing affordability remains a problem not just in the Lehigh Valley, but on a national level. And, according to

Skordeles, it's not just higher mortgage rates at the core of the issue; home prices, which have increased nearly 48% since the COVID pandemic, are also a major contributor.

Another headwind: job growth has been so-so. "We think we get about roughly 75,000 new jobs per month on average over the course of the year," Skordeles said. "That's not very exciting. That's certainly below average."

But there are winds blowing from the other direction, too. Skordeles singled out a number of economic tailwinds, like technology and AI spending. Quarterly capital expenditures among big tech companies like Apple, Nvidia, Intel and Oracle have soared to $110 billion, more than doubling their 2021 levels.

Also, wages are outpacing inflation, and consumer spending remains robust, which will likely be boosted by a larger-than-usual federal tax return this year, aided by a number of new and expanded tax breaks. "As we know, universally, when you give people money, they spend it," Skordeles said.

Retail sales are at record highs across several categories, including monthly sales of $100 billion at restaurants and bars. "People are seriously going out to eat, drink and be merry. That's still definitely a thing," said Skordeles.

Other highlights

Rev. James Greenfield, the President of DeSales University, was presented with the 2026 Community Partner Award. During his brief remarks, he made the case for why artificial intelligence will never take the place of a quality education.

"I really think it's important for us to harness this new tool," Greenfield said, "but two things AI cannot do: AI cannot love, and AI cannot think. So what we do at a university like DeSales is teach those critical skills."

Also, Chamber President and CEO Tony Iannelli taped two segments of "Business Matters." AI advances in medicine was the topic of the first segment, and healthcare and the economy was the topic of the second.

'Celebrating all the good things in the Lehigh Valley': Chamber has another energized, entertaining annual meeting

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

BETHLEHEM, Pa. Lehighvalleynews.com — Another energized, entertaining and successful annual meeting and awards show of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce had concluded.

Musicians packed away their instruments on one end of the stage. The Wind Creek Event Center floor was littered with colorful confetti. Empty box lunches cluttered messy tables.

Pockets of folks — Chamber business partners, mascots, young dancers and well-wishers — roamed about the stage.

And the ringmaster wondered if maybe the two-hour production is too much show and too little substance.

“To tell you the truth, I worry sometimes that it’s not hard hitting enough, not deep enough, too much entertainment,” Chamber Chief Executive Officer Tony Iannelli said at the conclusion of the event on Thursday afternoon.

But just as quickly, Iannelli screeched the brakes on such thoughts.

“But look, we’re about celebrating all the good things in the Lehigh Valley,” Iannelli, 74, said in his 28th year with the Chamber.

“It’s our one time of the year to just celebrate the love we have for this community, to lift people up. So I guess we’re just here to celebrate who we are.”

And celebrate they did, to the delight of the 1,000 in attendance.

Valley ranks high

Iannelli, as usual, kicked off the proceedings, this time with a rendition of “Celebrate,” the 1969 hit song by Three Dog Night, complete with dancers and flashing lights accompanying him on stage.

But while Iannelli’s concern of too much flash and not enough substance may be understandable, the event showcases the vibrant Lehigh Valley as an economic success and a relocation destination.

According to rankings released in March by Site Selection magazine, the Lehigh Valley ranked third nationally among mid-sized markets for new economic development projects in 2024.

In regional rankings, the Lehigh Valley ranked fifth in the Northeast among metros of all sizes.

In 2023, the Lehigh Valley ranked first in the nation in new economic development projects than any similarly sized market, according to Site Selection.

The region also ranked fourth in all communities in the Northeast.

“I don’t know if it's our location or what it is that makes this valley so special,” Iannelli said. “I don’t have the answer — and that’s OK.”

'We thank them all'

The Chamber honored the following with awards:

Business of the Year Award — Wind Creek.
Volunteer of the Year — Buddy Lesavoy, past chairman, Chamber Board of Governors.

Milestone Awards:

Mack Trucks, 125 years in business.
Cetronia Ambulance Corps, 70 years.
New Bethany, 40 Years.

J. Marc Rittle, New Bethany executive director, accepted an award for the organization's 40th year addressing hunger and homelessness in the Lehigh Valley.

“This is a really meaningful award for us,” said J. Marc Rittle, executive director of New Bethany, the Bethlehem-based nonprofit that provides support to those experiencing poverty, hunger and homelessness.

“We help a lot of people in the community. I get few opportunities to thank everybody at once. We’re able to help because of all the businesses here in the room that support us.

"We thank them all.”

'Ensure none are left behind'

Iannelli hosted a “Business Matters LIVE!” interview with Jefferson Health Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joe Cacchione and pro golfer Dicky Pride.

Pride will be among 78 senior golfers participating at the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic, a PGA Tour Champions event, next fall at Lehigh Country Club in Allentown.

Proceeds will benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation and Youth Valley House.

A heartwarming video tribute was shown in memory of Nancy Dischinat, 79, who died Nov. 1 after four decades fostering workforce development in the Lehigh Valley.

Laurie Hackett, chairwoman of the Chamber Board of Governors, announced the Chamber has begun a focus on smaller regional communities to “ensure none are left behind.”

“We want to make sure Lehigh Valley issues are not only identified, but acted upon,” Hackett said.

Of the Chamber as a whole, she said: “We have almost 4,000 business members. We’re the largest Chamber in Pennsylvania and among the top 10 largest in America.

“We’re not only keeping pace, but we’re setting the pace.”

Lehigh Valley Chamber says goodbye to longtime friend, salutes successes at annual meeting

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

The Morning Call - For those wondering if this year’s Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce annual meeting was going to have a musical act, they didn’t have to wait long.

Chamber President and CEO Tony Iannelli took the stage at the Wind Creek Event Center with students from Allen High School’s dancing theater and the TimeWhys rock group to cover “Celebrate,” the 1975 hit from Three Dog Night.

The full house in south Bethlehem was there to honor several award winners, salute a longtime Lehigh Valley advocate who recently passed away and look to the future.

Flo Scott presents a milestone award to Kimberly Pupillo who accepted on behalf of Mack Trucks on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, during the chamber’s annual meeting at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem.(Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Here are some highlights of the annual event:

Thank you, Nancy

Before getting into the program, the chamber played a video tribute to Nancy Dischinat, the Lehigh Valley’s workforce development guru for several decades, who died Saturday, just months after she announced her retirement.

Dischinat, 79, had been executive director for Workforce Board Lehigh Valley since 1998, and was a regular speaker at chamber and other business events across the Valley. She gave updates on the state of jobs in the region with a folksy charm that made an impression on many.

“We lost one of the most important people that we had in the Lehigh Valley,” Iannelli said. “I think so many of us loved Nancy Dischinat. She was amazing and gave 150% to everything, and was very comedic. We miss her so much.”

Business of the Year

The winner didn’t have to travel far to collect its award.

Wind Creek Bethlehem Executive Vice President and General Manager Patrick Ryan said the award shows how much of a connection the casino/resort has made with the Lehigh Valley.

Opened as the Sands Casino Resort in 2009 on former Bethlehem Steel land, it was bought by Wind Creek in 2019. It has more than 1,700 employees.

“From the very beginning it was simple,” Ryan said. “To create opportunity and honor the legacy of this city and the people who helped build it. What really makes it special isn’t just the beautiful property you see today, it’s the people behind it. The 1,700 team members who show up every day have a passion and a genuine love for what they do. Many of them have deep roots right here in the Lehigh Valley, and that connection is what makes this place feel like a family.”

Volunteer of the Year

Buddy Lesavoy, an attorney with Lesavoy, Butz & Seitz in South Whitehall Township, was honored for his decades of service to the chamber and several other Lehigh Valley organizations, including St. Luke’s University Health Network, Embassy Bank and the Bar Association of Lehigh County.

He has served as chairperson of the chamber’s board of governors.

“I have had the honor and privilege to help support and serve many great organizations in various capacities for over 50 years,” Lesavoy said. “And in doing so, I’ve learned so much from so many. My humble and grateful appreciation goes out to all of them.”

Lesavoy concentrates his practice in business, corporate and real estate matters and has worked with family and closely held businesses in the Lehigh Valley.

Milestone Awards

Three Valley organizations were honored on their anniversaries.

New Bethany, a nonprofit organization in Bethlehem that provides support for people experiencing poverty, hunger and homelessness, was recognized for its 40 years of service. Since 1985, it has provided more than 1.1 million meals and assisted thousands of people with such things as food assistance, housing and wellness.

Executive Director J. Marc Rittle said the organization is needed more than ever.

“Our community is in crisis,” he said. “We’ve seen a 120% increase in the homeless population since the pandemic. Our turkey drive is from feeding 300 families to providing 2,000 turkeys to the community. We also have a waiting list of 1,700 turkeys.”

Rittle mentioned New Bethany and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs are accepting frozen turkey donations Nov. 21 at Coca-Cola Park.

The Cetronia Ambulance Corps is celebrating its 70th anniversary, growing from eight volunteers and a 1948 Buick ambulance when it started to an organization of more than 200 professionals operating 47 vehicles and traveling 1 million miles annually.

“Our colleagues, which now number 200, are able to touch lives every day. It is truly an amazing organization to work for,” CEO Robert Mateff said. “We have a very strong and visionary core that helps guide us and a strong leadership team that mentors our staff, and then the individual employees that every day have an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.”

Mack Trucks is celebrating its 125th anniversary, with its Lehigh Valley Operations plant in Macungie, along with the Mack Customer Experience and Mack Defense in Allentown.

Golf, anyone?

The event also included a taping of the “Business Matters” TV show featuring Iannelli, Jefferson Health CEO Joe Cacchione and pro golfer Dicky Pride.

The topic was the upcoming Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic, a Regular Season PGA Champions event in 2026 that will be played Sept. 28 to Oct. 4 at Lehigh Country Club in Lower Macungie Township.

Pride, who has been playing professionally since 1992, said older players who join the Champions Tour after a career in the PGA Tour find it easier to give back to the communities that host the tour because they are more established.

It’s also more fun to play.

“I always say I like golf because I don’t like doing things such as working out and practicing to play golf competitively,” he said. “What I love is competition. I love being in the fairway and we’re having that 5-foot putt to win a tournament. We have a chance to win a tournament, where you’re so nervous and that’s good. It’s what drives me to do those things. It’s the thing I love, the emotion of being in that position.”

Chamber celebrates businesses, launches new initiative at annual meeting

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Lehigh Valley Business - The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce celebrated local businesses at its annual meeting at the Wind Creek Event Center Thursday with President and CEO Tony Ianelli singing the song “Celebrate” with dancers from William Allen High School, backup singers and pyrotechnics.

According to Laurie Hackett, chair of the chamber board of governors, 2025 has been a good year for the chamber.

“We’re the largest chamber in Pennsylvania and among the Top 10 largest chambers in the country,” she told the crowd.

She said the chamber is in strong financial shape and has been steadily growing.

The chamber currently has 4,000 business members, 68% of which are small businesses and more than 280,000 employee members. In fact, she said the chamber added 400 new members in the past year alone.

But she also talked about the future of the chamber, introducing a new investment champaign for community development.

The chamber is partnering with 15 founding local corporations, including Air Products, where she serves as director of Corporate and Community Affairs.

Over the next three years, the effort will target the region’s smaller communities so that “no community is left behind.”

The chamber will work with the Small Cities Lab at Lehigh University on programming projects ranging from downtown beautification to business grants.

“They see what’s possible when you work together to build the Lehigh Valley,” Hackett said. “Every Main Street deserves a big future.”

Lehigh Valley Chamber awards highlight local businesses and community contributors

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

WFMZ - The 2025 Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards started with a musical performance like no other.

Dressed in a gold lamé shirt and flanked by the William Allen dancers, GLVCC Executive Director Tony Iannelli belted out the classic "Celebrate" before an ecstatic crowd of business leaders at the Wind Creek Events Center.

The GLVCC Annual Meeting quickly got down to business, with an update on the state of the chamber.

"We have over 4,000 businesses who are members of the chamber which is over 280,000 employees. Making us absolutely the largest chamber in Pennsylvania," said Laurie Hackett, GLVCC Board member and Air Products Director of Corporate and Community Relations.

The chamber was also recognized at one of the top 10 chambers in the country.

And it's no wonder when you look at the milestone awards handed out to members.

New Bethany Ministries was honored for 40 years, Cetronia Ambulance got the nod for 70 years and Mack Truck was recognized for 125 years.

The Chamber also gave Buddy Lesavoy with Lesavoy, Butz and Saltz an award for volunteer of the year.

"I am a lot more comfortable presenting than receiving, so congratulations to all of this years awardees," said Lesavoy.

In an special moment members shared their thoughts about Nancy Dischinat, the Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Workforce Development Board who recently passed away.

"Nancy has been such a bright light," said one member during a video tribute. "Everything she touches inspires me and inspires so many others throughout the community."

Things wrapped up with a highlight reel of the top business stories of the year, complete with video of Bo Koltnow jumping out of a plane.

‘Incredible milestone’ hailed at groundbreaking for Allentown affordable housing project

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Lehighvalleynews.com — Dozens of new affordable apartments could be available in Center City within a year.

Allentown and state officials joined leaders from Cortex Residential on Wednesday at South Eighth and Walnut streets, where they broke ground on a 38-unit complex for people with low-to-moderate incomes.

Brittany Ciardi, a senior vice president of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, called the event an “incredible milestone in the heart of Allentown.”

The complex will offer “hope, opportunity and stability for individuals and families who call Allentown home” and help “meet a need for accessible housing in the city,” Ciardi said.

“It's a part of a larger vision, rooted in Allentown Vision 2030, to make sure that as our city grows, everyone has a place here."

'Housing for everybody'

State Rep. Pete Schweyer, D-Lehigh, said the new complex will add to “all the new housing that’s being developed” in the area.

“It's housing for everybody,” Schweyer said. “We have all kinds of options here.

"Regardless of your income and regardless of where you work or where you're from, we have an opportunity for everybody to live and participate in this incredible, incredible downtown.”

Cortex Residential President Jonathan Strauss thanked co-founder Patrick Perone and a slew of elected officials, including council members and the city’s delegation in Harrisburg, many of whom helped secure much-needed funding for the project.

The developer received $14 million from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and Allentown contributed $2 million from its coronavirus pandemic-relief funds to the project.

And Lehigh County helped fill a funding gap to get it over the line.

'Part of gateway into the city'

Cortex set out to “check two boxes” with its Walnut Square project: building in a place of need and building in an area of opportunity for future residents, Strauss said.

Its location offers “accessibility to urban amenities like public transportation, social services, health care … and most importantly, jobs,” Strauss said.

“It's very important to us that we're building affordable housing that has proximity to resources that can promote socioeconomic growth for individuals.

“We're proud of this location, and we're proud to be a part of this gateway into the city."

Cortex expects to deliver the three-story, 44,000-square-foot facility in “10 to 12 months,” Strauss said, with pre-leasing registrations to open before its completion.

He also praised leaders of the church next door that sold Cortex its corner property. The developer demolished a parish house on the now-cleared lot to start the project.

“I want to thank Life Church for seeing the vision and understanding the importance of carving out this site” for affordable housing, Strauss said.

The historic church, the former St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, will not be touched as part of the project, Strauss has said.

Trump, county budgets and policing: Takeaways from a fiery Lehigh County executive candidates debate

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

By Lindsay Weber | liweber@mcall.com | The Morning Call

The candidates for Lehigh County executive, one of this year’s most closely watched local races in the Lehigh Valley, traded arguments and attacks at their first televised debate Wednesday before the November election.

Josh Siegel, a Democratic state representative for Allentown, and Roger MacLean, a former Allentown City Council member and retired Allentown police chief, will face each other on the ballot Nov. 4. County Executive Phillips Armstrong, who has held the seat since 2017, is term limited and thus not running in 2025.

In their opening remarks, Siegel, 31, positioned himself as part of a “new generation of leadership” in politics, whereas MacLean, who came out of retirement to run, said he felt he had “too much energy” to remain on the political sidelines.

The two candidates shared their thoughts on Donald Trump, local policing, county finances and other key issues in a debate hosted by Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Tony Iannelli as part of the WFMZ program “Business Matters.” It will air at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 on WFMZ.

Here are the key takeaways:

Ties to Trump

Though Trump will not be on the ballot in 2025, he was a frequent subject in the debate as Siegel attempted to tie MacLean to the president’s policies.

Siegel on several occasions criticized MacLean for failing to vocally oppose the federal tax bill passed in July, which will reduce the number of people eligible for Medicaid and SNAP via implementing work requirements.

“What they have done in D.C., the politics and policies that frankly, my opponent voted for proudly three times, are going to be catastrophic for Lehigh County residents,” Siegel said. “Our neighbors are going to be kicked off their health care. They’re going to lose their food assistance. We’re going to take money or food out of the mouths of children and veterans and grandparents.”

MacLean said that he did vote for Donald Trump but that he is not concerned about federal funding cuts, adding that he thought the county “will get our money one way or another.”

Feared losses to food and health care programs are “fearmongering,” in MacLean’s opinion, and he called on Siegel to focus on issues local to the county.

“I am not running against Donald Trump, I am running for county executive, and that’s what I’m concentrating on,” MacLean said.

County finances

Both candidates said they would look to improve the county’s financial position. Though the county’s proposed 2026 budget has no tax increase, an impasse with the state budget could force the county to burn through its entire $25 million stabilization fund just to keep its programs running.

Siegel proposed several methods that the county could use to expand its sources of tax revenue to continue to fund county programs, including changing the county’s employee health insurance plan via tying the county’s financial obligation to Medicare’s financial obligations, and piloting a program allowing local nonprofits and universities to pay directly for county programs in lieu of taxes.

MacLean offered few specifics on his financial plans, but said he is for “efficient, cost-effective government” and would take a look at each specific county department once he takes office to decide where to make cuts.

Law enforcement

The candidates traded attacks on their opponent’s respective positions on law enforcement. While Siegel accused MacLean of “downplaying” the Jan. 6 insurrection, MacLean attacked Siegel for his previous statements criticizing law enforcement in 2020.

“MacLean touts his service as chief of police in Allentown, and frankly, I think he committed the ultimate betrayal when he decided to vote for Donald Trump in 2024,” Siegel said. “This is a president who incited a violent and bloody insurrection that sicced a dangerous mob on our nation’s capital that led to five Capitol Police officers dying, hundreds more being wounded because they were attacked by traitorous Americans.”

The two argued about the death toll of Jan. 6: MacLean claimed that only one person died, rioter Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed while climbing through a broken window in the Capitol building.

However, at least five police officers died in connection with the attack, including one police officer who had a stroke the day following the riot and four who died by suicide in the aftermath.

MacLean accused Siegel of being “antipolice,” pointing to Siegel’s record on City Council. Siegel and fellow Council member Ce-Ce Gerlach had proposed in 2020 reallocating some of the police department’s funding toward social services. The two also faced calls for censure at the time from other City Council members, who alleged they made disparaging comments about police during Black Lives Matter protests.

Siegel acknowledged that he has “evolved” on the issue of policing and said, “I like to think that I’m capable of growth and maturity.” He pointed to his support for police departments as a state representative, including voting for budgets that increase funding for local police departments.

Northampton Co. executive race kicks off with dueling interviews, but no debate

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

LehighValleyNews.com | By Ryan Gaylor

SALISBURY TWP., Pa. — Candidates for Northampton County executive sat Wednesday for a pair of one-on-one interviews, their first major media appearance of the general election campaign.

In May’s municipal primary, Northampton County Controller and Bethlehem resident Tara Zrinski secured the Democratic nomination for county executive; Republicans nominated County Commissioner Tom Giovanni, an IT consultant who resides in Plainfield Township.

Ahead of each general election, the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce typically hosts debates between candidates seeking major local offices. Each debate is broadcast as part of "Business Matters," a weekly television show produced by Channel 69 WFMZ and hosted by Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce President Tony Iannelli.

When the show’s producers reached out to Giovanni, though, he declined their invitation to debate, organizers said. Instead, each candidate agreed to a 12-minute one-on-one interview.

“It's not what we prefer, but we think it's important to get people out in front of the community, and so we adjusted,” said Iannelli, who conducted both interviews. In order to give voters as much insight into the candidates as possible, “we did the best we could with what we had,” he said.

Giovanni defended the move, citing a debate PBS39 hosted earlier this year between Zrinski and her opponent in the Democratic primary, Amy Cozze.

“I watched the debate between Tara [Zrinski] and Amy Cozze, and I'm just not going to defend lies, point blank. I saw a lot of lies from Tara, and I'm just not going to sit there and defend,” Giovanni said.

Because Giovanni did not face a competitive primary for the Republican nomination, his appearance Wednesday was one of his first major public tests as a county executive candidate.

What they said

Though Giovanni never mentioned County Executive Lamont McClure by name during his interview, Giovanni framed his candidacy as a response to the sitting county executive.

“What really concerns me about county government right now is the lack of accountability, integrity and transparency,” Giovanni began his first response. “When I'm county executive, I will bring those virtues back to the people of Northampton County.”

Giovanni’s approach to the executive job would hinge on a top-to-bottom review of county government. Overall, he would look to cut spending as executive, Giovanni said.

More than any other topic, Giovanni focused attention on Gracedale, the county-owned nursing home; he criticized McClure for using money earmarked for Gracedale staff bonuses to cover the home’s operating expenses.

If he became county executive, Giovanni said he would undertake “a full total assessment from top to bottom” of Gracedale’s operation, and would keep the home county-owned and -operated.

Giovanni again criticized the sitting county executive in response to a question about handling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE, agents at the county courthouse.

“I don't think we're properly compliant with ICE … and for me, the reason for that is the county executive put out an executive order for ICE agents to not go into the courthouse,” Giovanni said. “I don't think we need that executive order.”

McClure’s Executive Order 20-28 bars ICE from arresting immigrants going through legal processing for a separate crime and requires agents to have a warrant to arrest someone on county property.

Giovanni mentioned his opponent only twice during his 12-minute interview. First, he explained her role as controller in auditing Gracedale’s bonus program.

The second mention came in the final minutes of Giovanni’s interview, after Iannelli asked directly whether Giovanni sees a potential Zrinski administration as a “carbon copy” of McClure’s.

“The current administration supports my opponent, Tara Zrinski, so why would it not be the same?” Giovanni replied.

During the primary, McClure’s campaign committee donated $5,000 to Zrinski’s campaign; McClure endorsed Zrinski in her primary race.

Zrinski spent much of her 12-minute interview defending the McClure administration, including their move to spend money earmarked for staff bonuses on operating expenses.

“There's no fraud. There's no misappropriation of funds. The funds were used in the way that they were supposed to,” Zrinski said.

Still, she said, the administration “could have shown more transparency” in how the money was transferred.

After Iannelli asked if Zrinski would be an extension of McClure’s time in office, Zrinski praised the sitting executive for “bringing [Northampton County] through COVID,” but said she plans to run her administration “a little bit differently,” and replace McClure’s cabinet-level officials with her own slate.

Zrinski went on to criticize ICE, and said she would maintain the county’s current policy.

“We follow the law. I'm not handing people over to ICE, and I'm not going to allow them in the courthouse,” Zrinski said.

“Look at who ICE is employing right now. They're taking just about everybody they can because they're expanding at a rate that is phenomenal, so you can't get the best and the brightest.”

Zrinski also endorsed plans to open new in-person early voting centers in Bethlehem and the Slate Belt; Zrinski said she aims to “enfranchise voters” as county executive.

Lehigh Valley Transportation Forum looks at Valley's needs, says solutions on the way

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Lehigh Valley Transportation Forum looks at Valley's needs, says solutions on the way

LehighValleyNews.com | By Phil Gianficaro

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A major concern was assuaged during the Lehigh Valley Transportation Forum on Tuesday morning.

While a series of multi-modal transportation challenges furiously thumped on the region’s front door, its agencies and state legislators are inviting them in to view potential solutions.

The event consisted of a panel discussion about the funding and challenges of road and highway projects, transportation services and safety strategies and the needs of the region's residents.

Upgrades to Route 22, work on Bethlehem's Hill to Hill Bridge, Center Valley Parkway and other projects all are on the list headed toward activity, officials said.

The forum at the Mack Experience Center was sponsored by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Moderated by Heather Heeter, of Urban Engineers, of Philadelphia, the panel also discussed how local transportation networks drive regional mobility and growth.

Panelists were:

Owen O’Neil, executive director of the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority.
Thomas Stoudt, executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.
Alex Yeros, chief executive officer of Phoenix Rail freight line.
Scott Vottero, state Transportation Department assistant district engineer for design in the Lehigh Valley.

'Mass transit as a whole needs to be improved'

State Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th District, later was interviewed by Becky A. Bradley, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and secretary of the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study, about the funding, needs and infrastructure challenges in the valley.

As chairman of the state transportation committee, Miller in February secured $2.2 million in funding for four transportation-related projects in the Lehigh Valley.

Miller also has secured up to $1 million for a study focused on the proposed Route 22 project that would widen the road to three lanes in either direction.

The Route 22 project is a long-discussed initiative designed to alleviate bumper-to-bumper traffic and other safety issues along the major Lehigh Valley artery.

Asked what his top project would be to fund if he was in total control of the state’s transportation budget, Miller didn’t hesitate.

“I think Route 22,” he said. “It’s long overdue."

But Miller also said, "Mass transit as a whole needs to be improved."

'Hoping to stay on course'

Pennsylvania's 2025-26 budget proposal includes significant investments in transportation, particularly public transit, with a focus on increasing state funding for transit systems across the state.

The budget proposes a $292.5 million increase in state support for mass transit systems, which would benefit transit agencies in all 67 Pennsylvania counties.

That was in response to transit agencies facing funding crises and service cuts, impacting communities reliant on public transportation.

“The budget [vote] is due at the end of the month,” Miller said. “We’re hoping to stay on course.”

Vottero outlined many of the infrastructure projects that will help alleviate traffic congestion and provide motorists a safer ride.

“We’re working on the Hill to Hill Bridge project in Bethlehem that will widen the bridge,” he said. “We expect it to be done in late-2026 or early-2027 and will cost" $70 million to $80 million.

“Another project is the Center Valley Parkway project. It’s a big safety concern there because of the high speeds and a lot of rear-end crashes. We’re doing 3D modeling for the contractor to utilize.”

Other projects Vottero mentioned were Interstate 78 from Route 22 to the Berks County line and the reconfiguring of the Route 100 interchange.

'Keeping up with the demands'

O’Neil noted how reliant Lehigh Valley residents are on LANTA.

“About 50,000 people a day use the buses, including about 75 percent who say that’s how they get to work," he said.

“We have an impact in the valley. We help people access jobs in the region and help employers get the workers they need to maintain their business.”

However, should the transit fund increase in the state budget not get passed, reduced bus service will follow, O’Neil said.

“In Pennsylvania, transit is primarily a state-funded activity,” he said. “We’re just looking to keep pace with development in the Lehigh Valley. We want to make sure we’re providing services and try to create routes with higher frequency.”

Pennsylvania has the fifth-most rail mileage in the country, Yeros said.

"We have even more capacity to grow," he said. "Rail is the safest, most cost-effective mode of transportation.

Stoudt celebrated a planned parking structure at the airport to further accommodate air travelers. That project comes on the heels of a $35 million infrastructure investment and included a new, expanded TSA security checkpoint.

“We’re just keeping up with the demands of the region,” he said.

Bethlehem Chamber honors community leaders, unveils legacy award at annual celebration

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Bethlehem Chamber honors community leaders, unveils legacy award at annual celebration

LehighValleyNews.com | By Ryan Gaylor

Published June 4, 2025

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A person who has been influential in shaping the city’s post-Bethlehem Steel growth and development was awarded a new Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce honor Tuesday.

Darlene Heller, who recently retired after 25 years as Bethlehem’s director of planning and zoning, was the inaugural winner of the Bethlehem Legacy Award, which honors someone whose work has left a lasting impact on the city.

The announcement came as the chamber celebrated individuals, organizations and businesses making a difference in the city during its annual awards ceremony.

“Many of you have businesses here, you call Bethlehem home, and a big reason why — whether you know that or not — is Darlene Heller,” Mayor J. William Reynolds said in presenting the award.

This year, the Bethlehem Chamber also added a new culinary contest pitting local restaurants in a cooking contest. Twisted Olive won the inaugural event and took home the Golden Plate trophy.

Anne Evans received the Star of Bethlehem award, which recognizes someone who has “dedicated much of their lives in bettering Bethlehem as either a volunteer or in a business capacity."

Evans has been a part of several community groups, including the South Side Task Force, New Bethany Ministries, League of Women Voters, Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, South Side Historical Society, South Side Tomorrow Housing Committee and Citizens’ Christmas City Committee.

“Anne Evans is the very definition of a community cornerstone — one who works not for recognition, but for the good of others,” Bethlehem Area School Board member Silagh White said in presenting the award.

“Her tireless spirit, her wisdom and passion have left a lasting mark on Bethlehem.”

'Deeply concerned right now'

The chamber’s Community Partner Award, for “a person or organization whose work directly impacts the wellbeing of its community,” went to Community Action Development Bethlehem, a nonprofit that aims to create economic opportunity in the city.

The group’s director, Anna Smith, used her acceptance speech to raise awareness of how nonprofits such as hers have been impacted by uncertain federal funding.

“You can’t give the microphone to somebody from Community Action without a brief message about the environment we’re operating in,” Smith said.

“We are deeply concerned right now about our ability to continue serving our Bethlehem neighbors amid federal funding cuts and the threat to take our tax dollars out of our neighborhoods and off of our streets.”

The chamber also recognized a handful of local businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries.

Akroyd Hardware marked 70 years in business; Donegal Square and Victory House each celebrated 40 years in operation; Brownstone Design has been open for 30 years; and Lehigh Valley Style magazine celebrated 25 years.

Distinguished business career

Half of Tuesday’s awards went to the chamber’s donors and partners.

Richard Anderson, chief executive officer of St. Luke’s University Health Network, took home the chamber’s Frank Marcon Award.

It recognizes someone who has achieved a “distinguished business career with sustained and diverse community volunteer service that enhanced significantly the quality of life in the Lehigh Valley.”

Over the course of his 40 years at the helm of St. Luke’s, Anderson oversaw the network’s expansion from a single hospital to a health care behemoth with more than 21,000 employees. St. Luke’s also was the ceremony’s gold sponsor.

BSI Corporate Benefits, a bronze sponsor of Tuesday’s event, received the chamber’s Strategic Partner Award, given to “a business or individual who has enhanced the Bethlehem community … with a spirit of volunteerism and/or support.”

The chamber gave its Downtown Vision Award, for someone with “a clear goal for how they see the future of their downtown” and who backs it up with action, to Plamen "Rocco" Ayvazov, who oversaw construction of the Dream Boyd Theatre apartment project.

Event organizers also thanked Dream Boyd Theater as a sponsor of the ceremony; the apartment building hosted the event in its courtyard.

‘Critically important’: Summit highlights sustainability, economic growth in the Lehigh Valley

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

‘Critically important’: Summit highlights sustainability, economic growth in the Lehigh Valley

LehighValleyNews.com | By Molly Bilinski

UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — The Lehigh Valley needs development and growth, but there also needs to be a balance to protect green spaces, Chris Kocher said Tuesday.

“We long recognize … the value, from an economic perspective, that our healthy, clean environment provides in way of environmental services, in way of recreational value, but also in the value of connecting and bringing businesses into this community,” said Kocher, president of Wildlands Conservancy.

“And acknowledge workers want to come where there's clean air and there's clean water and livable communities and walkable communities and parks.

Kocher was among three local leaders to speak on a panel during this year’s Lehigh Valley Sustainability Summit at DeSales University.

Led by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Sustainable Energy Fund, the annual summit drew economic and industry leaders from across the region to engage on topics such as waste reduction, energy and economic growth.

“A community that values those natural spaces is a community that businesses want to relocate to, where workers want to come," Kocher said.

"So a clean environment is critically important for the economy of the Lehigh Valley.”

The panel, “Balancing Economic Development, Growth and Sustainability,” also included Susan Myerov, director of environmental planning for the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, and Larry Eighmy, founder of The Stone House Group, a Bethlehem-based building consultant.

Eighmy said “we’ve passed the tipping point” when it comes to sustainable buildings.

“We can build a better building that functions better, uses less energy for less money,” Eighmy said. “That time is here. The cost of energy is lower.

“An environmentally sound building that's not only good for the environment, but good for the people inside it, it has productivity gains. You have the technology to do that.”

'It's about doing good'

During his welcome address, John Costlow, chief executive officer of the Sustainable Energy Fund, said, “we’re in the world of sustainability.”

“We're meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations,” Costlow said. “Where are we going? We're going to regenerative whether it's regenerative energy, regenerative building.

What’s happening with PPL Tower, Topgolf, City Center projects? Here’s the latest update.

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

What’s happening with PPL Tower, Topgolf, City Center projects? Here’s the latest update.

By Evan Jones - The Morning Call

It’s not a secret that the Lehigh Valley is growing. But even officials are surprised at the pace people are moving into the region.

The combined population of Lehigh and Northampton counties has already surpassed 700,000 people, including 7,000 new residents last year, according to Becky Bradley, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

Speaking at the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Real Estate Outlook on Thursday at Wind Creek Bethlehem, Bradley said the Valley previously averaged about 4,000 new people per year. About 21,000 moved in 2020-24.

People attend the Lehigh Valley Real Estate Outlook presentation Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem. Hosted by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, the event brought together industry leaders, investors and real estate professionals to discuss the region’s housing and commercial property markets.(Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

“Think about that,” Bradley told the full ballroom. “In a market where housing inventory was historically low, we still added 7,000 people. We now have 708,000 people. That makes it even more important to develop a housing strategy that can better manage this growth so that we don’t lose the very things that make us special.”

Bradley reviewed why housing is so hard to obtain, but the audience also heard from developers about significant projects coming online, and ways to promote the Lehigh Valley.

Here are four things to know from the chamber’s annual event:

Housing must match growth

Bradley said the Lehigh Valley is still on pace to add at least 100,000 people by 2050. The problem is finding them a place to live.

Housing is still at an historic low, she said, with a shortage of 9,000 units in the region. In 25 years, there will need to be at least 54,000 units to keep pa

“That makes it even more important to develop a housing strategy that can better manage this growth so that we don’t lose the very things that make us special,” Bradley said. “Nearly a decade of suppressed housing construction after the 2008 housing crash combined with a consistently growing population and now we’re growing even faster.”

There’s also a mismatch between income and available housing. With the increased competition, it’s harder for families to afford homes, she said. While younger couples are being kept out of the housing market, older couples looking to downsize are staying put because they can’t afford to downsize. That keeps potential starter homes off the market.

And while many of the homes for sale could be considered affordable, many are being sold to upper-class buyers finding a lack of larger homes in the Valley, thus creating downward pressure.

The rising costs of buying a house also leave many behind.

“Housing affordability has changed dramatically since the 1980s and housing prices have outpaced income growth with median income, with median home prices now exceeding four times the median household income,” Bradley said.

Development updates

In a taping of the “Business Matters” TV show, chamber President and CEO Tony Iannelli asked three Valley developers for updates on some of their more notable projects.

Nicholas Dye, of D&D Realty Group, gave an update on the 24-story PPL Building project at Ninth and Hamilton streets in downtown Allentown. He said the company is still on track to convert the former utility headquarters into a residential building with 112 apartments averaging 1,100 square feet.

He noted that PPL left the building in great shape.

“Compared to other projects that we’ve done in the past, we’re really finding out what’s going on inside the building when we started deconstructing it,” Dye said. “And I can tell you that this project is in a far better place than any of those we’ve done in the past. The infrastructure is in really solid, good shape.”

Dye said D&D is still deciding what to do with the former North Building.

Dave Jaindl, president of Jaindl Land Co., gave an update on the Lehigh Valley Town Center project — which features Topgolf — in Lower Macungie Township near the intersection of Route 222 and Interstate 78.

“We’re working with the municipality, which is very much in favor and trying to push things along,” Jaindl said. “There’s a little bit of a little bit of a stall in the PennDOT, but I think we’ll get through that.”

In addition to Topgolf, the center would include a high-end boutique grocery store, 550 apartments across four buildings, a 100-room hotel, 70,000 square feet of office space, 65,000 square feet of medical office space, 170,000 square feet of retail space, a 20,000-square-foot restaurant, a 60,000-square-foot recreation building and a six-story parking garage.

Jaindl also mentioned the Mary Immaculate project in Lehigh Township is still on track. The former seminary will be turned into a 200-room hotel, which will be promoted as a wedding venue.

Jill Wheeler, vice president of City Center Group, said another office building in downtown Allentown is in the works.

“We’re really excited to announce that we’re going to be building our sixth office building,” she said, “and in the next six weeks you’ll start to hear all the details.”

Easton is on the rise

For its continued redevelopment of its downtown, Easton was recognized with the 2025 Commercial Real Estate Development Award from the chamber.

Mayor Sal Panto Jr. accepted the award and mentioned a slew of projects that have come to fruition in recent years, including the Heritage Riverview, The Commodore, The Wartermark and the Public Market.

He mentioned that the city’s newest complex, The Marquis, is scheduled to open next week.

The seven-story, $80 million structure will be City Center Group’s first apartment space outside of Allentown. It will feature three restaurants.

Other upcoming projects include The Confluence — another City Center project — at the site of the former Day’s Inn and a hotel along Centre Square.

Branding the Valley

Don Cunningham, president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp., opened his speech with a snippet of Billy Joel’s 1980s hit “Allentown” — which symbolized the plight of rust belt cities — to symbolize the need to push the Lehigh Valley’s current branding.

The LVEDC and Discover Lehigh Valley came up with a promotional logo in 2023 and the push is on to get that brand on as many advertisements as possible.

“That’s because if you talk to folks in Philadelphia, you think once you get over the City Line Avenue, it’s all Scranton and the Poconos,” Cunningham said. “So we’ve got to change that, and we’re going to change that.”

Cunningham said it’s important to have a unified message when promoting the Lehigh Valley.

“I think one of the most important things we need to do as a region is work together on branding and telling the story of the Leah Valley today,” he said, “and that is the essence of this campaign. We want the chamber and others to use the logo of the Lehigh Valley and to brand all the great products, the cities and downtown, and piggyback the name of the Lehigh Valley onto those identifiers that people are already familiar with.”

Lehigh Valley faces worsening housing gridlock crisis

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Lehigh Valley faces worsening housing gridlock crisis

Stacy Wescoe//April 24, 2025//

Lehigh Valley faces a 9,000-unit housing deficit and growing demand
Population growth expected to exceed predictions by 2025
Median home prices now 4x the median income, projected to hit 7x by 2050

The Lehigh Valley is stuck in a “housing gridlock” and it’s only going to get worse, said Becky Bradley, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

Bradley spoke about the region’s housing crisis at the 2025 Lehigh Valley Real Estate Outlook, which the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce held at the Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem.

Don Cunningham, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, detailed how the region is growing, both in economic terms and in population.

Last year, he noted that the Lehigh Valley’s Gross Domestic Product exceeded $55 billion for the first time and the economy locally is growing at a faster pace than it is in the state or nationally.

Part of that is because the region’s population is getting larger. The Lehigh Valley has had significant population growth, with more than 708,000 people living in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

The growth has been particularly significant among young people, which has seen a growth of 2.9% since 2020, Cunningham said.

But where do all those new people go?

That’s the problem. While having a growing economy and population is great, Bradley noted that there is currently a 9,000-unit deficit in housing in the Lehigh Valley, and it’s a problem that’s only expected to get worse, despite efforts to bring fresh housing stock into the region.

Bradley said the region has been expecting a population increase of another 100,000 people by 2025.

“But the growth is accelerating faster than predicted,” she said.

And so, she expects the Lehigh Valley will need at least 54,000 new housing units by 2050 just to catch up and accommodate the people moving into the region.

Currently, the planning commission and other agencies are working on a Lehigh Valley Housing Supply and Attainability Strategy that is looking for ways to increase the supply of for-sale and for-rent properties in the area that are at an attainable price point for the people who live here.

“There’s a severe mismatch between affordable housing and household income, especially in the mid-market,” Bradley said.

But, she said all income levels are impacted.

For example, there is an estimated 50,000-unit deficit in higher priced homes.

So, people with higher incomes, that could afford more expensive houses are having to “buy down,” taking properties that would otherwise be affordable for mid-to-lower income households.

She said currently, it’s estimated that 10,000 households in the Lehigh Valley had to “buy up” meaning they are spending more for housing than they can actually afford.

She said it’s part of the overall problem of housing affordability.

In the 1980s, Bradley said the average home price was double the average income, which made home ownership well within the reach of most people.

Currently the median home price is more than four times the median household income.

With other factors such as high interest rates and inflation, that puts home ownership out of reach for many.

That’s another problem that Bradley said is only expected to get worse.

By 2050 it’s expected that the median home price will be more than seven times the median household income.

“We’re doomed if our children can’t live here,” she said.

Right now, Bradley said the planning commission is approving about 2,100 new residential units per year, but with the time it takes for construction, the impact is still less than what is needed.

“Even if we could have a 50% increase in that it would still take years to address the 9,000-unit deficit that we have right now,” Bradley said.

‘We're watching all year long:’ Local businesses learn about LGBTQ inclusion - LehighValleyNews.com

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT

‘We're watching all year long:’ Local businesses learn about LGBTQ inclusion BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Pride Month is coming to an end, but the business community’s support of the LGBTQ community can last all year long. That’s why the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce's LGBTQ Business Council and the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce partnered Wednesday to put on a new event called LGBTQ Inclusivity in the Workplace. A new event called LGBTQ Inclusivity in the Workplace instructed local businesses how to better include and support LGBTQ people It was put on by Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce's LGBTQ Business Council and the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce Corinne Goodwin, executive director of the Eastern PA Trans Equity Project, was the main speaker The event at Northampton Community College’s Fowler Family Southside Center instructed local businesses how to better include and support LGBTQ people, both as customers and employees. The event's main speaker, Corinne Goodwin, executive director of the Eastern PA Trans Equity Project,said in an interview that events such as this are an opportunity to garner support from businesses year-round. “LGBTQ communities really are under attack right now,” Goodwin said. “And we need to not only stand up for ourselves, but we need to gather allies.” “As Pride Month comes to a close, we know that visibility and hosting events like this are really just the start,” said Janine Santoro, director of equity and inclusion for Bethlehem Mayor William Reynolds’ office. “The long-lasting change comes from centering LGBTQ voices in our policies and in our workplace culture, and really seeking the help from partners and those in the community to stand with us in solidarity.” Goodwin, who owns her own small business, emphasized during her presentation that LGBTQ people are an important part of the market and workforce. There are about 30,000 LGBTQ people in the Lehigh Valley, she said, and overall, the community makes up about 5% of the workforce. Goodwin also said the percentage of people who identify as LGBTQ is increasing in the younger generations. For example, about 20% of 18- to 25-year-olds identify as LGBTQ. “You can't afford to ignore 20 percent of the market,” Goodwin said. “You just can't.” A company’s actions don’t just affect LGBTQ consumers. According to Goodwin, 70% of all consumers surveyed, regardless of their gender identity or sexuality, said that whether a brand is perceived as LGBTQ-friendly has directly affected their buying decisions. “So we're watching,” Goodwin said. “And we're watching all year long.” Some suggestions Goodwin had for showing customers they are LGBTQ friendly is including LGBTQ people in marketing material, training the team in inclusive practices and advertising in LGBTQ media sources. The LGBTQ Business Council also has a pledge businesses can sign to show their support of the community. Goodwin also said many LGBTQ employees have experienced harassment and discrimination in their workplace. She said 29% say their productivity is negatively impacted by the workplace environment. “I will not put up with unproductive behaviors,” Goodwin said, speaking as a business owner. “But I have an obligation to give you an environment where you can be productive.” Goodwin suggested businesses have a written non-discrimination policy, have gender-inclusive benefits, create an employee support group and encourage sharing chosen names and pronouns.