Lehigh Valley businesses announced a slew of new hires.

Pennsylvania protected 32 farms in 18 counties, investing nearly $8.2 million in state, county and local dollars.  The state Department of Agriculture said 2,264 acres have been protected from future development.  This brings Pennsylvania’s total to 6,076 farms and 613,884 acres in 58 counties, now forever protected from commercial, industrial or residential development. Pennsylvania continues ...

Prudential Bancorp Inc. shareholders voted to approve Fulton Financial Corp.’s acquisition of the corporation and its subsidiary, Prudential Bank. 

Pianca Packaging, LLC has signed a lease with Buligo Capital Partners for more than 28,000-square-feet of industrial space within the Riverside Business Center in Whitehall.  

The Fulton Forward Foundation, an independent, non-profit private foundation funded by Fulton Bank, committed $125,000 to the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) today. 

The hot housing market hit another record high as the median sale price rose $40,000 in May, according to The Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors. 

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is accepting bids for the purchase of $4.5 million in mixed-use development tax credits.  

Air Products Foundation gave $250,000 to the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network “Hope Starts Here” capital campaign to support its planned Outdoor Therapy Garden. 

Shuman Development Group has received $2.25 million from the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to improve the Medical Arts Building in Reading. 

Gov. Tom Wolf announced 245 housing and community development projects in 67 counties that will receive funding through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund.