We are now in a WFMZ Rob Vaughn news afterlife. So now’s my chance and to take over the Lehigh Valley Chamber year in review from a living legend.
In an homage to Rob, I have to start with sports, and the year included the death of a Super Bowl repeat for the Eagles and the Phillies dying on the playoff diamond. Things can only look up, right? Oh, and it does. But first, whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. So with that, let’s start the 2024 year in review with politics — work some may feel requires a deal with the devil to succeed at.
From Joe Biden and Donald Trump, to Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. This year, the country could be coined the “United States of Pennsylvania,” as presidential candidates keyed on Keystone State voters more than anywhere else in the country.
And while voters are the lifeblood of any politician, hospitals continue to be a health and economic lifeline for the Lehigh Valley. In August, a summer romance officially tied the knot — a marriage between Jefferson Health and Lehigh Valley Health Network. A $14 billion deal; prenup not needed for the now top 15 not-for-profit health network nationally.
In addition, St. Luke’s University Health Network opened the area’s newest specialty hospital for orthopedic surgery. This is St. Luke’s looking toward a new “Grand View.” The hospital and Bucks County-based Grand View Health are in talks to partner.
Manufacturing continues to be a gold medal winner in the region, as the Lehigh Valley gross domestic product hit more than $50 billion, higher than states Vermont and Wyoming.
While we may not have the high peaks, we do have groundbreakings, and a lot of them, like one in May when execs for a Lehigh Valley metal manufacturing company, ATAS International, celebrated an Upper Macungie expansion.
Then, the chips came in when the U.S. Commerce Department made the announcement of $93 million for Infinera, showing that semiconductor companies are cashing in. And through the CHIPS and Science Act, Palmer Township’s Coherent group hit a $15 million federal jackpot.
Over in downtown Easton, development with a French-sounding flare took shape in front of what used to be the old South Third Street parking garage. “The Marquis” is Easton’s largest-ever residential project, while a nearby celebration marked the opening of “The Commodore.”
In Allentown, the “Moxy” moved in. The hotel is one of many moves made in the Queen City this year. In addition, PPL said goodbye to its iconic tower in Allentown, but the power company didn’t travel far — just a few blocks away to Two City Center.
And the Hamilton at Grand Plaza — PPL’s former glass house and one-time site of Hess’s department store — is nearly finished, resurrected as residential and retail. Allentown’s massive waterfront redevelopment project continues to take shape as two new apartment complexes are set.
From trucks to dinosaurs, the growing appeal for learning led to the opening of the new Da Vinci Science Center along Hamilton Street. The doors to Miller Symphony Hall are open for the 125th year, now set to be a downtown live music duo with the approval of Archer Hall.
And they’re no figment of our imagination. The Lehigh Valley Phantoms are celebrating a decade at the PPL Center and scored the winning business goal: They’re the Chamber’s business of the year.
Things are looking up at Lehigh Valley International Airport. In May, a new dawn for the airport, as the first direct flight to Orlando took off, while Dorney Park created a mission of another kind. The new Iron Menace attracted thousands.
Construction is happening on the land where the Martin Tower once stood in Bethlehem. Developers are no longer killing time, filling out permit forms is over and businesses are waiting in line, as the residential, retail and medical project started.
This, as the show goes on for an old theater with a different story. As curtains lifted for the Dream Boyd Theatre apartments, Bethlehem might soon see a boost in tourism as the world took notice. The Moravian Church settlement is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, right in the heart of the Christmas City.
Not to be outdone, the Hotel Bethlehem celebrated a grand slam: four straight wins in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice for Best Historic Hotel contest. And the iconic hotel partnered with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs to celebrate.
At Musikfest, bands played on, despite Mother Nature giving her version of “Singing in the Rain.” However, the festival continued to attract more than a million people.
And our top story of the year: Rob Vaughn — the voice, face and heartbeat of our local news — said goodbye, retiring after nearly 40 years on the desk. Big shoes to fill, but we take the challenge, and we press on and move forward.
Yes, things foreign and domestic can appear dark, but there’s always light if you know where to look, and the Lehigh Valley certainly has a lot of light.
