The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners has created the Whitehall Area Development Authority.

The commissioners formally took the steps necessary to create the authority at their April 13 meeting.

The authority will be tasked with sparking an interest among developers in the revitalization of blighted or deteriorated properties across the township, including the Lehigh Valley Dairy parcel.

The board received information describing the benefits of forming such an authority under the provisions of the state Municipal Authorities Act. The board agreed that it is beneficial for the township to improve its business district.

The creation of the authority marks the third such entity the township has created. The other two authorities created include the Whitehall Township Authority and the Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority.

The ordinance creating the authority stipulates it will make business improvements as defined by the Municipal Authorities Act. The township retains the right to approve any plan existing under the state act.

Board President Linda Snyder said the new authority must be transparent. She also stressed she does not want the authority to consist of attorneys and developers.

"We need regular people," Snyder said. "This is a very important thing we are doing right now."

Tax breaks would be granted to developers involved in restoring parcels in the township.

Snyder spoke about these tax breaks going to developers.

"When does the person who goes to work everyday and is working two or three jobs just to survive get a break?" Snyder asked during the workshop meeting earlier in the month.

Board Vice President Philip Ginder said he understands Snyder's concerns, but he said he was also concerned with the condition of the structures.

"You can't let the buildings go to hell," he commented. With tax incentives, the developed properties would benefit township residents.

Commissioner Dennis Hower said the "hope and pray" strategy of revitalizing deteriorated properties has not worked. Up until now, the township has not seen much interest in such properties, he said.