The revitalized Whitehall Township Industrial & Commercial Development Authority is currently in the planning stages of bringing a medical facility to the township.

"One area that Whitehall Township is lacking is emergency medical care and testing facilities. The nearest locations for testing are in Center City Allentown or on the heavily trafficked Airport Road area, making this important service not easily accessible for Whitehall residents," says an authority report recently released by Howard Lieberman, authority executive director.

"With the size and diversity of Whitehall's population and the expansion of these kinds of services throughout the country, it is appropriate that we make the township an attractive place for the medical practitioners to provide these services," the report goes on to say.

Working with the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce, site managers and area shopping center owners, the authority has already identified a site and a provider, the township board of commissioners and Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. were informed.

Hozza has previously stated the grounds on MacArthur Road, across from the township campus, would be a suitable location for a health facility. The land is currently owned by the Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Another project the authority is addressing is an ongoing process of developing jobs in the township.

"WTICDA has been working closely with the township administration to attract major retailers for currently underutilized but highly visible sites," the report says.

The process includes the identification of available spaces, negotiations with the property owners and then meeting with site development personnel to entice them to locate to Whitehall.

The authority can then help with project management, environmental clearances, structured financing and provide support. The project involves a relationship development with national and regional retailers, Lieberman said.

"The Whitehall Township Industrial & Commercial Development Authority has experienced drastic changes over the past 24 months," Lieberman said.

"We view the authority as the economic development arm of the township. With the support of the Whitehall Township Commissioners, the administration of the township and the members of the Authority Board, we have witnessed tremendous progress toward the expansion if the economic base for the township, the creation of stable, family-sustaining jobs and the attraction of new manufacturing technology and service businesses."