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Northampton County Council approves Dixie Cup TIF after heated public comments, 6–3
Summary
After more than an hour of public testimony both for and against the proposal, the Northampton County Council voted 6–3 to approve a tax-increment financing district for the Dixie Cup redevelopment; opponents said the TIF would divert future tax revenue and insufficiently benefit affordable housing.
Northampton County Council voted 6–3 to adopt an ordinance authorizing the creation of the 1921 At Dixie Avenue Tax Increment Financing District for the Dixie Cup redevelopment, after a lengthy public comment period in which dozens of residents and local officials urged opposing outcomes.
The TIF ordinance, presented as a brownfield redevelopment tool under Act 113 of the Pennsylvania General Assembly (53 P.S. § 6930.1), passed despite strong objections from residents who said the deal would shift future tax revenue to a private developer. “This TIF would divert up to 26,000,000 in future tax revenue,” said Matt Flower, a Moore Township resident who urged council to vote no. Several other speakers, including Armando Moritzchapelikan and Dawn Davis, called the project a taxpayer subsidy for “luxury apartments.”
Supporters, including the mayor of Wilson and borough officials, said the developer has already invested in remediation and that the project would transform a 43‑year blighted site. “He cleaned it up,” said a Wilson borough official during public comment, noting earlier environmental work and planning reviews. County officials told the council that the developer had removed underground tanks, asbestos, radon and contaminated soil at a cost they described as $35,000,000, and that the project’s stabilized estimated market value and total project cost were discussed during remarks to the dais.
The TIF agreement includes a county commitment to capture incremental tax revenue for a specified period; the administration said the package would also secure $2,000,000 to support affordable‑housing initiatives tied to the redevelopment. Proponents argued that without the TIF the county and borough would not receive the redevelopment activity or the affordable‑housing funds. Opponents countered that the amount of public subsidy was too large relative to the affordable‑housing commitment and that other public needs (food pantries, schools, roads) should take priority.
Council initially considered a motion to table the ordinance at the request of the Northampton County Industrial Development Authority; that motion failed 5–4. After subsequent debate the council proceeded to a roll‑call vote, adopting the TIF ordinance by a vote of 6 to 3.
The ordinance’s adoption comes with next steps: the county will coordinate with Wilson Borough, the Wilson Area School District, and the county IDA on implementing the TIF and the affordable‑housing commitment. Public hearings on related ordinances and subsequent administrative items are scheduled for the May 21, 2026 meeting.
