September 3, 2026 Economic Development Committee Meeting

The Northampton County Economic Development Committee meeting on September 3, 2026, focused on several procurement and funding topics. Key discussions included a $500,000 local share account funding application for the Gracedale Laundry Project to upgrade outdated commercial laundry equipment. The committee also reviewed the annual competitive Grow Norco and hotel tax grant programs, with recommended awards totaling approximately $1.9 million and $584,900 respectively, supporting local municipalities and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, WDIY 88.1 FM presented a request for $116,000 in local share account funding to modernize their aging broadcast infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of reliable emergency communication and community programming. The meeting also featured a presentation on a new local food economy report highlighting opportunities for farmland preservation, food hub development, and sustainable agriculture in the Lehigh Valley, supported in part by county hotel tax grant funding. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, but resolutions related to funding applications and grant awards were discussed and prepared for county council consideration.