The region’s industrial real estate market is starting to show its age, and that means developers may be looking to replace some of the older structures along the I-78/I-81 corridor with newer, more modern and efficient ones. 

The US Department of Labor said it is joining forces with Lehigh Career and Technical Institute in Schnecksville and Pennsylvania OSHA Consultation to protect warehousing, storage workers. 

The Lehigh Valley isn’t just getting more warehouses. The warehouses are also getting bigger. 

To protect workers and reduce injuries and illnesses in the warehousing, storage and distribution industries, the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched the Regional Emphasis Program for Warehousing Operations in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. 

The United States had a record year for large warehouses in 2021 and the I-78/I-81 corridor, running through the Lehigh Valley, Central Pennsylvania and Northeastern Pennsylvania ranked second in the country for these large transactions. 

The overwhelming demand for light industrial and warehousing space along the I-78/I-81 corridor should last through the end of the year and likely beyond, said Vince Ranalli, executive vice president for CBRE.

Kerry A. Wrobel is the president and chief executive officer of Lehigh Valley Industrial Park Inc.  He has served in this capacity for 19 years.  Wrobel is responsible for LVIP’s seven industrial parks and his work includes the development of Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VII at the Bethlehem Commerce Center, the former site of Bethlehem Steel. 

FedEx is looking to hire 400 workers for its Lehigh Valley hub in Allen Township. The company said it needs to meet a critical demand for service because of COVID-19.

A federal agency’s recent report shows the Lehigh Valley’s economic output for private industry pushing past $41 billion, a 4.4 percent increase over the previous year.

A second-quarter market report from real estate firm CBRE showed occupancy gains of 1.9 million square feet and $135 million in investments along the Interstate 78-81 corridor.