Bethlehem’s newest upscale apartments will officially open Oct. 19 with a ribbon-cutting hosted by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The opening of Six10 Flats will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 610 E. 3rd St.
“Six10 Flats is another exciting addition to the neighborhood,” said Mike Perrucci, CEO of Peron Development LLC. “What was once a surface parking lot is now a vibrant mixed-use building providing opportunities for people to live, work and play in South Bethlehem.”
According to the website for Six10 Flats, the apartments “bring upscale urban living to the vibrant SouthSide of Bethlehem.”
The building offers one and two-bedroom luxury apartments ranging from $1,750 to $2,550 per month.
The building has a rooftop lounge with a view of the historic SteelStacks, a lounge, fitness center, community room, dog wash and an EV charging station.
The building is equipped with a ButterflyMx Video intercom, keyless entry and provides on-site parking.
Lindsay Powell’s victory in Tuesday’s special election allowed Pennsylvania Democrats to retain their razor-thin 102-101 majority in the state’s House of Representatives.
While the election was decided by voters in Pittsburgh, its impact will be felt far beyond the boundaries of Allegheny County.
Ryan Unger, president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC, said there are pieces of legislation the chamber is hoping to see move forward here at the end of the year.
“One is the Clean Slate Expansion (House Bill 689) which is with the senate now so that’s a good sign,” he said. “That’s one I think we feel could move before the end of the year. It probably won’t be impacted by that (Pittsburgh) election but it’s one we’re keeping our eye on.
“The other big ones are corporate net income tax (Senate Bill 345) and net operating loss carryforward (Senate Bill 346), got somewhat wrapped up potentially in the budget. We’re hopeful with this election we’ll see movement potentially on some of those code bills and an opportunity to make some changes there. Most likely it will be in the fall for either one of those but there is hope that with strong revenues and with kind of a unique opportunity here we can get some movement before the end of the year.”
Unger noted that there’s also a bill on transparency in permitting (Senate Bill 350), which he said makes sense in many ways.
“You can see where your DoorDash is, but you don’t know where your permitting is,” said Unger. “So why don’t we bring that same philosophy to people’s work? It passed with bipartisan support in the senate and it’s now in the House State Government Committee. I’m not sure this election changes that but at least there’s more likelihood bills will move, now that (the special election) has been resolved.
“Those are the kind of big-ticket things we’re looking at right now. Certainly, the budget is the biggest. The budget could potentially have a resolution around some of those bigger issues because we’re going to start talking about the next budget in 2024.”
Unger said that while the Harrisburg Chamber hasn’t seen anything directly impact its work, any attention that is still being consumed by conversation about the budget impacts issues the chamber is focusing on.
“There’s only so much oxygen in the room, right? I think we’re hopeful there could be some bipartisan agreement,” he said. “In reality, when you look at the grand scope of the amount of money the state spends and where the disagreements are, it’s relatively small, and we hope we can resolve those and move forward with these issues that are critically important to the business community.”
Tony Iannelli, president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, noted that in many communities in the Lehigh Valley, there’s a narrow edge for either Republicans or Democrats, and that the chamber takes those differences in stride.
“We try to work with both sides to the best of our ability and we’ve been able to do that,” he said. “We’ve been at this game for some time, and we realize we have to work with people on both sides of the aisle and come to some kind of compromise. That’s been our approach.
“As a regional chamber that’s a combination of many geographic as well as our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, I think we take all the changes in stride. Although it’s hard today, the goal is to find some kind of happy medium with legislation that we know has to have some flexibility to get to the finish line.”
Alex Halper, vice president, Government Affairs Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, said state residents are fortunate that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want to see a strong Pennsylvania economy.
“Many are passionate about supporting their local businesses,” he said. “We’re confident that lawmakers will think about the economy and jobs and their local employers when they’re considering public policy.”
Halper remarked that many of the Pennsylvania Chamber’s top priorities – improvements to Pennsylvania’s tax code, for instance – have broad bipartisan support.
“We’ve seen our top priorities get passed with unanimous support out of the Senate Finance Committee, for example,” he said. “We have a Democrat in the House who’s introduced important business tax reform legislation, permitting reform passed with bipartisan support in the senate.
“When we think about top priority issues for Pennsylvania employers, I think lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have embraced those as important steps to make Pennsylvania more competitive.”
U.S. small business owners see an improving economy and point to the Small Business Index released Wednesday as proof.
The Q3 MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index reached its highest score since the start of the pandemic. Used to measure the confidence of small business owners, the Index score rose from 63.1 to 69.2, due to the number of small businesses believing the economy is in good shape.
According to the Index, 66% of small businesses report that their business is in good health and 72% state that they are comfortable with their cash flow. Both measures increased several points from last month.
“The businesses I have talked to from this region, I would say they are cautiously, with a capital C, optimistic,” said Tony Iannelli, president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. “For years now, there have been so many reasons why this economy shouldn’t be robust, but it continues to be.
“I think most recently there’s a little more caution, not for any specific reason, but I just sense that businesses are a little more cautious. The crazy growth that we’ve seen from their perspective locally seems to be tempered a bit. A lot of the sky that was falling hasn’t fallen. The predictions continue and I don’t want to ignore signs and some mild concerns that are on the horizon.
“But so far, despite all the predictions, this economy, you can’t argue that it hasn’t been strong, and it has continued in that direction. Hopefully that will continue.”
Tom Sullivan, vice president of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, cited the resiliency of main street employers.
“With fears of a recession likely in the rear-view mirror and inflation starting to ease, small business owners are feeling a lot better than they were a year ago,” Sullivan said in a statement.
Inflation and employee retention remain among the leading concerns for small business owners, according to a survey this quarter. Small business owners added that keeping pace with employees’ salary expectations is also a challenge.
At the same time, small business owners point to what they feel are the unique benefits and advantages they can offer to employees. Nearly nine in 10 employers said in this quarter’s survey that their company feels like a family and that this environment has aided them in retaining employees. Roughly 82% of employers surveyed said small businesses are uniquely qualified to provide employees with connections to and support from upper management.
Lehigh Regional Veterinary Surgical Specialty will host its official grand opening in Bethlehem Sept. 14.
The event, sponsored by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, will take place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at 4473 Hanoverville Road.
Lehigh Regional Veterinary Surgical Specialty (LRVSS) is the only 100% surgery center with a Board-certified surgeon in the region. The occasion marks the practice’s one-year anniversary.
According to the chamber, the practice specializes in orthopedic, “soft tissue” and cancer surgery for dogs and cats, with an emphasis on pain management and safe anesthesia.
The most common procedure at LRVSS is ACL surgery, followed by broken bones, tumor and cancer removal, dislocated joints, and reconstructive surgery, LRVSS said.
Phil Zeltzman, a Board-certified surgeon for 16 years, has assembled a team of veterinary nurses with a passion for helping animals.
“They use ‘fear-free’ and ‘low-stress’ techniques on all patients. Their treatment sheets include regular ‘TLC’ in addition to regular pain medications and antibiotics,” the chamber said.
For almost exactly 1 year, LRVSS has helped pets from all over the Lehigh Valley, up to the Poconos, and South to Philadelphia, as well as cats and dogs from across the state and mid-Atlantic region.
G Contracting LLC has a grand opening planned for this Wednesday for its new showroom at 1032 North Irving Street in Allentown.
G Contracting was created by Jonathan Gerancher in March of 2012.
His involvement in the remodeling industry began while working alongside his father, Julius Geranacher, in his company J.G. Plastering.
“On behalf of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, we wish big congratulations to G Contracting LLC on this important milestone,” said Kylie Adams-Weiss, assistant vice president of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. “As longtime members of the Chamber, we’ve seen your business grow as a result of your hard work and great customer service, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the unveiling of your brand-new showroom.”
The grand opening will take place from 5-7 p.m. on July 25. The event is free and open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced Tom Groves, CEO of Equinox Benefits Consulting in Emmaus, as the new chair of its board of governors.
According to his website, Groves has more than 20 years of industry experience, including working for a large insurance carrier. He started Equinox in 2005.
The chamber commented on his appointment in its newsletter.
“With his extensive experience and leadership, we are confident that Tom will bring fresh perspectives and drive continued growth and success for the Chamber. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact he will make in advancing the interests of businesses and fostering a thriving community,” the post read.
Groves succeeds Mary Lisicky of Morgan Stanley, who held the post during the last fiscal year.
Two new businesses officially opened in Lehigh Valley, and one is celebrating 40 years in business.
Zady’s Closet, a consignment shop at 509 N. Seventh St., Allentown, celebrated its grand opening Wednesday with the Downtown Allentown Business Alliance.
Jeweler Kendra Scott in Lehigh Valley will celebrate a soft opening at its store in Lehigh Valley Mall with the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce, partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Friday.
And New Vitae Wellness and Recovery, a holistic support-based facility in Limeport, which helps individuals with behavioral health challenges achieve their goals, celebrated its 40th anniversary June 25.
Zady’s Closet owner Zady Endy said her consignment store offers new and gently used men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories from casual attire to professional workwear.
The new Kendra Scott jewelry store is a new concept design for the company, only the third in the Northeast, the company said. It will have the brand’s Color Bar and onsite engraving machine to create customized jewelry in minutes.
“The Whitehall Area Chamber is excited to partner with the Lehigh Valley Mall and Kendra Scott to welcome them fully to the Lehigh Valley,” said Kylie Adams-Weiss, assistant vice president of Affiliated Chambers and liaison to the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce. “Having a new luxury brand at the Lehigh Valley Mall elevates our shopping experience, and we look forward to seeing them succeed with our local clientele.”
Celebrating 40 years
Incorporated in 1983 as TriCounty Respite, New Vitae provides a wide range of treatments that promote personal wellness including individual and group therapy, peer support services, medication management, and Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS). Specialty areas include brain injury, behavioral health, and addiction, with a focus on holistic care for residents and those who support them.
New Vitae was established by Anne Mills and her son Adam Devlin to serve the needs of populations that had been traditionally underserved by behavioral health care, including young adults, veterans, and individuals with traumatic brain injuries, Devlin said.
“As a social worker, my mother’s mission was always to serve those who needed compassion and care in their most challenging times,” Devlin said. “She believed in focusing on the wellness within each resident to help them with their recovery. Early on, we knew we had a unique niche.”
Over the years New Vitae has grown to fit the changing needs of its residents, offering a wide range of residential and outpatient programs, Devlin said. Today, with close to 300 staff members, New Vitae continues to provide holistic, strength-based care to its residents, helping support their right to meaningful and fulfilling lives within their communities.
The Vero at Bethlehem, which officially opened June 6, will hold a grand opening Thursday.
The pet-friendly personal care and memory care senior living facility at 4700 Bath Pike will celebrate with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Vero personal care facility offers residents an independent lifestyle with support or assistance when needed, The Vero said.
The memory care facility designed especially for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, provides a homelike setting, familiar routines, and plenty of ways for residents to stay as independent as possible, the company said.
The facility offers full-service, restaurant-style dining featuring seasonal menus and healthy choices; a private dining room for special occasions and family events; a bistro for a coffee break, all-day snacks and refreshments, and casual dining.
In addition, the Vero at Bethlehem offers a full-service salon and barber shop; outdoor spaces for dining and socializing; and common areas including a living room, library, game room, and recreational areas.
Other amenities include a theater, scheduled transportation for appointments and errands, weekly housekeeping and licensed nurses 24 hours a day.
Lehigh Valley homes located within a quarter mile of natural lands are valued at $12,000 more than those that aren’t.
So said Becky Bradley, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, speaking to a group of more than 150 people at the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainability Summit at The Club at Twin Lakes in North Whitehall Township on Friday.
The increased value of homes shows that people are concerned about the climate and quality of life.
Becky Bradley, executive director of Lehigh Valley Planning Commission speaks at the Lehigh Valley Sustainability Summit April 28 at The Club at Twin Pines – PHOTO/Cris Collingwood
“Something that always stands out to us on the LVPC team is the fact that every single survey that we’ve done for the last several decades, the community has been prioritizing nature and natural resources in our natural environment,” Bradley said. “As high up (in the surveys) is our economy and jobs followed by another 90% to 95% of folks that are focusing on climate change and then the associated climate action as a priority.”
Bradley used the example to outline the plans the Planning Commission has and is developing to reduce carbon emissions.
Lehigh Valley, she said, emits 9.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is 3.7% of the state’s total gross emissions, she said.
The planning commission is working to reduce those emissions, not only to meet state and federal mandates, but to improve life in Lehigh Valley, Bradley said. Natural habitats help reduce those emissions and provide recreation.
The plan, FutureLV: The Regional Plan, which combines the state-mandated regional comprehensive plan with the federally mandated Long-Range Transportation Plan, provides a blueprint for managing future growth.
Bradley said the plan gives investment strategies to meet current and future needs for the transportation infrastructure, manage transportation-related emissions, improve the transportation infrastructure and create opportunities for non-automobile trips.
“We have $3.2 billion to invest,” she said. “We are better together. If we continue to work better, we can make Lehigh Valley a better place to live, work and invest.”
In outlining the return on the environment, Bradley showed a slide that outlined the results of investments so far.
That includes $2.5 million in annual biological services; $54 million in annual carbon and pollution control; $22.4 million in annual pollination value; $219.5 million contribution to wildlife and plan habitat; and $1.8 billion in real estate premium attached to open space.
In addition, there has been $.8 million in annual soil formation and retention; $50.6 million in annual flood mitigation; $795 million in recreation investment; $58.9 million in local and state contributions from recreational jobs; and 9,678 jobs generated from recreation.
Bradley shared that the greenhouse gas inventory, made by LVPC with the help of Moravian University and the Department of Environmental Protection, shows industrial electricity and natural gas contribute 34.5% of the total carbon dioxide emissions while transportation and mobile sources contribute the second largest at 26.6%.
Residential energy contributes 19.6% with commercial energy following closely at 14.2%, she said.
The Walk-Roll Transportation Action Plan is a big part of the overall plan to reduce emissions, she said. It is designed to enhance ecosystems and improve climate change.
The plan encourages walking, biking and public transportation to improve air quality and climate throughout the region, she said.
Bradley also said improvements to open land spaces with more planting of natural grasses and shrubs will help reduce carbon dioxide while “making Lehigh Valley a beautiful place.”
“$67 million was raised to reduce carbon just last week,” she said.
Some initiatives for “Carbon Farming”, she said, include greening of the transportation corridors, hazard mitigation and beautification, and permanent air and water quality monitoring.
“This is an opportunity to do a ton of carbon reduction work,” Bradley said. “Public right-of-ways are some of the most underutilized assets that exist out there. There are opportunities to plant native grasses along those that will reduce runoff and help preserve the plant infrastructures there that provide pollination and bird migratory pathways that are so critical to that key element of the system of bird migration in the nation. We can make our Lehigh Valley look better when you drive to it and through it.”
James Rouland, manager, Regional Policy, PPL Services Corporation, told the crowd to look for opportunities on ways to reduce energy use. He spoke about PPL programs that store excess energy created by companies using solar power and low-impact hydro power.
“We can use clean energy to power homes, businesses and electric and hydro vehicles,” he said. “The energy storage advantage is lithium batteries.”
Rouland said Pennsylvania alternative energy grew from 9.2% in 2010 to 18% last year.
PPL, he said, is working with customers to find the best alternatives, especially with those who have electric fleets.
“We are all on a new journey,” he said. “I implore you to connect with local organizations who have environmental plans.”
Rouland said the key to the transition to cleaner energy is participation and said the resources are at peoples’ fingertips.
Wild & Free Bakery to open at Slatington Farmers Market March 24 – Photo courtesy of Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce
A full-service bakery is opening in the Slatington Farmers Market in Washington Township, Lehigh County.
Wild & Free Bakery will celebrate its grand opening March 24 with the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce,
Wild & Free Bakery offers cupcakes, breads, cookies, and gourmet pastries, and custom orders. The bakery is owned by Matt and Connie Hoffman of Palmerton.
“The chamber is always excited to shine a spotlight on great new businesses in the area, but this may be guaranteed to be the sweetest new business we have this spring,” said Kylie Adams-Weiss, assistant vice president of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Connie and her team offer up delicious baked goods to the community, including beautifully decorated cakes and cupcakes, savory croissants and breads, and so much more. We’ve been proud to work with them in past events with the chamber and in upcoming events, too!”
Connie Hoffman is founder of the company and has carried a passion for food and pastries from a young age. She is a graduate of Carbon Career & Technical Institute in the Culinary Arts field, studied Pastry Arts at The Restaurant School of Walnut Hill College and finished her education at Lehigh Carbon Community College for Hospitality and Resort Management, the chamber said.
Her husband and business partner, Matthew, handles the behind-the-scenes of the business.
The grand opening and ribbon cutting will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Slatington Market Place. The event is open to the public.
“Ribbon cutting ceremonies are some of our favorite events,” said Jessica O’Donnell-Gower, executive vice president of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. “It’s the perfect opportunity to spotlight the hard work that has gone into the creation of a business, and to bring the community out to celebrate one another’s accomplishments. We could not be more excited to celebrate with Wild & Free Bakery!”
Andy Gildner, owner of Keystone Technology, LLC, and chair of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, said, “The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber is proud to welcome Wild & Free Bakery to our footprint and we look forward to supporting them in their growth for years to come.”
If employers in the Lehigh Valley want skilled workers, they may need to take on a bigger role in getting workers those skills.
Nancy Dischinat, executive director of Workforce Board Lehigh Valley gave that advice at the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber Economic Outlook luncheon.
“Recruitment should be aimed at school students,” Dischinat said. “Develop their skills and you earn their loyalty. Skill up your workforce and keep them on the job.”
With Lehigh Valley’s unemployment rate at about 4% right now, she said there are plenty of jobs to go around.
Her organization is working to get those looking for jobs paired up with employers looking to hire.
She noted that at 4% the number of people out of work in the Lehigh Valley is around 14,000 – roughly the same number of jobs available in the region.
“There’s a job for every person in the Lehigh Valley. I’m not kidding,” she said.
She pointed to the new Interactive Workforce Data Dashboard on the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley’s website that is available to the public and can serve as a one-stop-shop for employers looking for workforce data to plan their recruitment and training needs.
Data presented by David Jan, a data scientist with the board, showed that training has become a larger issue, not just because of emerging skill requirements, but because less people are seeking a higher education on their own.
Over the last 10 years college enrollment has dropped significantly. In 2011 78% of all high school students were enrolling in college. In 2021 that was down to 67%.
He noted that decreasing enrollment in college may be a trend. He pointed to the recent executive order by Gov. Josh Shapiro that eliminated the requirement for a four-year degree for many state jobs.
And Dischinat reminded employers that there is help for businesses that need help finding workers.
“CareerLink is working as fast as they can to help meet companies’ workforce needs.”
Tony Iannelli, president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and John Pierro, executive vice president and COO, LVHN discuss the outlook for the health care industry at the Economic Outlook Tuesday – Photo by Stacy Wesco –
Lehigh Valley Health Network’s push to provide health care in more communities is an outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic.
John Pierro, executive vice president and COO, LVHN, told more than 600 people at the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce 2023 Economic Outlook event Tuesday at ArtsQuest in Bethlehem that the “War on COVID” showed the network that there was a need to provide care in a new way.
“We had to provide care throughout the {government} mandates, which was difficult to do, and still care for people,” he said.
The network, Pierro said, quickly realized it needed to treat people close to where they live and offer digital and phone access to services.
“We are taking a neighborhood approach,” he said, citing the recent opening of neighborhood hospitals in Hecktown, Dickson City, Carbon, and Macungie, which is scheduled to open at the end of the year or early 2024.
The neighborhood approach also includes 35 health centers located throughout Lehigh Valley.
Macungie, one of the smallest, will be a licensed and accredited acute care hospital housed in a state-of-the-art 22,000-square-foot facility with a full-service emergency room.
There will be 10 inpatient beds for those requiring overnight hospital stays, for additional care, observation and testing.
As with all neighborhood facilities, patients with more acute medical problems, or require surgery, will be stabilized and transported to a larger LVHN hospital with increased care capability, according to LVHN.
“Getting care in the neighborhood you live in is the future of health care,” Pierro told the chamber audience.
It’s all about economics. “For us, we are like a $4 billion company who has seen a $100 million increase in labor costs,” he said. “Nine to 10% of our doctors have retired over the past two years and we have a lot of senior doctors and nurses who are thinking of retiring.”
Pierro said many health care providers decided to move up retirement or work part time.
“Working 80 to 100 hours a week for two years took a toll and having to watch families lose loved ones was hard on them,” he said.
LVHN, like most networks across the country, have had to increase wages for nurses and rely on for-profit agencies that provide traveling nurses. Pierro said wages for those nurses are much higher, creating increased labor costs by six percent.
But unlike a corporation, a hospital network can’t cut back production to cut costs. So innovative changes are needed, he said.
Providing health care close to where people live and work is more cost effective, he said.
Some practitioners want to work where they live, so neighborhood facilities attract those who may have left the job because they didn’t want to travel, Pierro said.
The neighborhood hospitals require less staff that serve multiple roles. Pierro said while there are more than 1,000 employees at Muhlenberg Hospital, a neighborhood hospital might require closer to 100.
“I’m optimistic but this is a tough industry,” he told the crowd. “Sixty percent of hospitals across the country have a negative cash flow.”
Pierro said LVHN is doing better than most but “we are still struggling, though no network hospitals are closing.”
Describing the environment as if the country is just coming out of a war, Pierro said, “We need to be at the forefront or we won’t exist as we are today.”
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