Whitehall Township is working to receive state approval on plans that would provide substantial tax breaks.

These breaks would be provided to developers that would revitalize the township's major properties and structures, such as Lehigh Valley Dairy.

For the second time, the township is looking to the Whitehall-Coplay School District to support the establishment of a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Act (LERTA) District.

The tax abatement is an incentive that allows developers of under-utilized properties to improve a project's cash flow by reducing the increased real estate taxes on a property over a 10-year span.

Howard Lieberman, Whitehall Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority (WTICDA) Executive Director will go before the school board seeking their approval.

Several years ago, the district nixed a LERTA designation in the township, despite approval from the township and Lehigh County.

Whitehall Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said he is "hopeful" that the district will sanction the proposed LERTA designation.

Lieberman, in an earlier appearance before the township board of commissioners, expressed optimism that the school board will approve the designation.

Although it was said Lehigh County is not needed for voting a LERTA designation for Whitehall, Hozza said the township may seek its consent again.

Hozza said he prefers a LERTA designation, since it addresses brown fields as a criteria.

In addition to the dairy property, the designation could include the idled Dent plant in Fullerton.

Lieberman had said LERTA is used in all three of the region's major cities and would allow Whitehall to compete in attracting commercial development.

Several months ago the township, in partnership with Coplay and Catasauqua, were unsuccessful in getting state approval for a City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) application, a new program designed for third-class cities.

Bethlehem was awarded a CRIZ designation. Apilot program clause in the state act allowed other municipalities to participate.

The board of commissioners, led by President Linda Snyder, and the administration under Hozza support the LERTA designation and the work WTICDA is putting forth to have it move forward.