The Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development has approved Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone status for 18 new Lehigh Valley locations, creating tax incentives to foster economic growth and development on the sites.

Of the 17 parcels, 15 are in the city of Easton.

All 18 properties requested in the application were approved. All but one of the approved properties are located in Northampton County, with the majority of them in the city of Easton. The sole Lehigh County property is the Allentown Metal Works property on S. 10th Street in Allentown, which is owned by the Allentown Economic Development Corp.

The KOEZ program, which is nearly identical to the KOZ program, is intended to spur development in specific underutilized and underdeveloped areas. The approved locations include the Governor Wolf Building, the Easton Silk Mill, the Black Diamond Silk Mill, the Easton Intermodal and City Hall project, and N. Second Street in Easton. The former Dixie Cup building in Wilson also was approved.

The designated parcels are eligible for benefits from the KOEZ program for a period of 10 years starting Jan. 1, 2014 and expiring at the end of 2023.