The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners were told at its Oct. 5 workshop that time is running out for securing a $1.5 million state grant that would be applied toward the acquisition/demolition of a property for redevelopment. The board was reminded that an extension for the grant to be secured had already been given.

Howard Lieberman, executive director of Whitehall Township Industrial & Commercial Development Authority, said June 2016 is the deadline for the specifics regarding the Redevelopment Assisted Capital Program Grant to be completed. A four-month window, however, is needed for filings and paperwork.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. disclosed later that the grant would be applied to the former Protica Inc. health drink manufacturer location at the rear of the expansive Lehigh Valley Dairy property. There has been some interest by private developers for the property, but nothing has been confirmed or finalized.

Hozza said the Redevelopment Assisted Capital Program Grant is not a new initiative, but rather one that has been around for several years, going back to when then-Gov. Ed Rendell was in office.

Under the governor’s control, Hozza said the grant has benefited 47 projects in Lehigh and Northampton counties - totaling $725 million - such as the former Schoen’s Furniture, Allentown, for $500,000 and Simon Silk Building, Bethlehem, for $2 million.