Business & Industry
Economic development has historically been a priority of municipal officials. The goal has been to maintain a balance between residential and business growth and the availability of open space. Since the days when C.F. Martin built the first Martin Guitar (1839) and the first cement mill began operation (1898), the businesses and people have prospered. These businesses recognized the tradition of hard work present in local residents and created satisfactory jobs, making the Nazareth/Bath Area an economically stable region. As the country’s economic development shifted away from manufacturing, the Nazareth/Bath Area was able to maintain most of its industries while diversifying into other support businesses such as service establishments, retail stores, wholesale facilities and professionals that complemented other industries. Today, the major employers and small family-owned businesses enjoy the same benefits and continue to grow and prosper together.
A significant economic advantage to the Nazareth/Bath Area is its ideal location. It is situated in the Lehigh Valley area in eastern Pennsylvania. The area is fortunate to have a coordinated and improved highway system. Routes 191 and 248 intersect in Nazareth and lead to Routes 22 and 33, which connect Nazareth Area businesses to markets in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. Route 512 traverses Bath and connects with Routes 22, 248 and 33. I-78 is easily accessible from the Nazareth/Bath Area.
The Nazareth/Bath Area has a variety of land sites and buildings that are suitable for new businesses and/or business expansion. This includes storefronts in historic areas and/or buildings/land in well-planned and organized industrial parks.
Financing and site selection opportunities are available from numerous economic development organizations in the Lehigh Valley including the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, Northampton County and the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce.
Land Use
Northampton County is comprised of 38 incorporated municipalities. Six of these — the Boroughs of Nazareth, Tatamy and Stockertown and Upper Nazareth, Lower Nazareth, and Bushkill townships — are generally considered the Greater Nazareth Area and are served by the Nazareth Area School System. In addition, the Bath Borough area is serviced by the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce. The total assessed valuation of taxable property within these seven municipalities as of 2005 was approximately $717 million. The area also accounts for 32,406 acres or 13.3 percent of the total 243,044 acres in Northampton County.
The remaining acreage in each community is made up of a mix of wholesaling, warehousing, transportation, utilities, communications, parks and recreation, public, and quasi-public areas. All municipalities currently have a comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, and subdivision regulations in place. At the present time, the Nazareth Area Council of Governments is developing a 10 municipality comprehensive regional plan.
Housing growth in the Nazareth Area during the decade of the 1990s and early 21st century was dramatic and far exceeded the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s growth rate. During the 1990s, the Lehigh Valley experienced a conversion of thousands of acres of agricultural and vacant land to other uses, of which significant acreage went to residential development. The greatest potential for residential expansion in the Nazareth/Bath Area lies in the townships of Bushkill, Upper Nazareth and Lower Nazareth, which account for 29,826 acres of the 32,406 total. The vast majority of new construction in these townships is single-family residences. As of November 2005, the average sale price of a home in the Nazareth/Bath Area was $373,000. In the townships, the requirements for on-site septic systems and/or well water systems, requiring one-acre lots plus, will most likely make multi-unit housing improbable.
Land use for retail/commercial enterprises is fairly small in the Nazareth Area but generally on par with communities of similar size and population in Northampton County. With an increase in residential development, there is a tendency for a corresponding increase in retail- and service-oriented businesses. At the present time, many small businesses flourish in the Nazareth Area. Most are specialty stores and service-related enterprises. Currently, there are two major shopping areas with 60,000 square feet or more. These are the Northampton Crossings Mall in Lower Nazareth Township and Giant Plaza in Lower Nazareth Township.
The Chrin Commerce Center
After several years of planning, Charles Chrin Companies is proud to announce The Chrin Commerce Center. Eleven light industrial and office lots, featured as Phase I, represent the first acreage available for sale in the 800-acre Chrin Commerce Center. This multi-phase project surrounds a proposed Route 33 interchange, while convenient access exists via recent infrastructure improvements.
Phase II and III propose a town center and a campus that are designated for commercial office space, retail operations and upper-story loft accommodations. Tree-lined streets, attractive lighting, and an extension to an existing bike path are among the many planned green-space features and amenities.
Community Impact: The retail, commercial office and light industrial facilities will provide employment opportunities for local residents. Apartments, integrated with office and retail spaces will offer a housing alternative not widely available in Tatamy. Office and retail services will diversify the borough’s economy and increase tax revenues. Light industrial and commercial office facilities will expand the townships economy. Office and retail services will service local residents as well as the surrounding region.
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