In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the significant impact of a zoning rewrite aimed at boosting urban manufacturing in Allentown. The initiative, highlighted by council member Gomez, is designed to create well-paying jobs for residents by encouraging manufacturing within the city.

The conversation emphasized the importance of synergy between the zoning changes and the AEDC's incubator program located on South 10th Street. This program has been instrumental in fostering small-scale urban manufacturing, which is often overlooked. Council members noted the success of various tenants, including a one-man winery that has begun selling products at Wegmans, showcasing the potential of urban manufacturing to thrive in smaller spaces.

A key point raised was the challenge of finding adequate sites for these growing businesses. Currently, tenants in the AEDC incubator are staying longer than anticipated—averaging six to seven years—due to a lack of available urban manufacturing sites in Allentown. This highlights the urgent need for the zoning rewrite to facilitate the development of new sites that can accommodate these businesses and their workforce.

The discussion underscored the innovative nature of modern urban manufacturing, contrasting it with traditional large-scale factories. Officials expressed optimism that the zoning changes would not only support existing businesses but also attract new ones, ultimately benefiting the local economy and community.