Whitehall Township is pursuing a pilot program launched by the state that will select one borough and first class township to designate specific geographical areas to receive state tax breaks.

At the July 9 meeting, the township commissioners granted permission to Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. to file the necessary applications. No commitment is required from the township at this time.

The program, called a City Revitalization and Improvement Zone or CHIZ, is not expected to cause the kind of consternation that came from the Neighborhood Improvement Zone in Allentown.

The reason that program caused concern was because those who worked in the NIZ had to pay local taxes to Allentown rather than their home municipality.

Hozza said Bethlehem is already a designated CHIZ community.

In Whitehall, Hozza said, the Lehigh Valley Dairy property, Dent Manufacturing lands and other properties could be included as sites of economic development.

The competition among communities is expected to be significant. The CHIZ pilot program was borne out of a state Senate bill, according to Hozza.

"It gives us one more tool," Commissioners Vice President Phil Ginder said of the potential for receiving the CHIZ designation.

Commissioners President Linda Snyder agreed the administration should file the necessary paperwork for the application.

The board's vote to pursue the CHIZ designation was unanimous.