Community and Economic Development Committee - 2026-02-18
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Community and Economic Development Committee advanced a housekeeping bill to align noise ordinance terminology with the updated zoning code. The meeting focused extensively on a progress update for the Allentown Works program, a $20 million five-year federal grant initiative targeting workforce development, childcare capacity building, transportation improvements, and urban site acquisition for manufacturing uses in priority neighborhoods including Franklin Park, Center City, and the 1st/6th Ward area.
Key Decisions (1)
Bill 8 - Noise Ordinance Terminology Update
Amended Part Two, General Legislation, Chapter 40 Noise, Section 41 Definitions and Section 406 Sound Levels to align terminology with the new zoning code classifications. This is a housekeeping measure that does not change noise parameters, only updates terms to match Zone Allentown.
Development Activity (2)
Allentown Works Urban Sites Program
$3 million allocated for acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant former industrial properties to restore productive manufacturing uses. Properties will house graduates of AEDC's incubator program. Example cited: former Allatau Metal Works site as model urban sites project.
LCTI Downtown Manufacturing Training Facility
Basic and advanced manufacturing courses to be relocated downtown from Schnecksville campus to improve accessibility for neighborhood residents. Courses designed as prerequisites for trade apprenticeships including IBEW programs.
Market Signals (5)
Labor
Zone Allentown doubled the city's capacity for low-impact and artisan manufacturing, with one in three properties now able to support small-scale manufacturing uses.
Labor
90% of jobs available to residents in Sacred Heart and Jordan Heights neighborhoods are based at Saint Luke's, making healthcare networks the largest local employers.
Housing Demand
Approximately 70% of home-based childcare providers in Allentown are leaving an estimated $50,000 annually in state Keystone STARS reimbursements uncollected due to certification barriers.
Infrastructure
LANTA partnership will conduct bus stop audits and rider demand assessments to pilot new routes, with all bus fares subsidized for Allentown Works program participants.
Commercial Demand
Small manufacturers moving into rehabilitated urban sites have a 4x employment multiplier effect on surrounding local economy.