Palmerton, Carbon County, PA -
- With new businesses along its main thoroughfare, and two new hospitals nearby, the future appears to be bright in Palmerton.
A jam-packed crowd learned of those endless possibilities at a Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce meeting and luncheon last week at the Palmerton Pub.
Speakers included Donna McGarry, Palmerton borough manager; Terry Purcell, Lehigh Valley Health Network; John Nespoli, St. Luke's University Health Network; Barb Green, Blue Mountain Resort, and Joe Federanich, Palmerton Borough Park.
St. Luke's University Health Network
Nespoli, president of the St. Luke's Carbon Campus in Franklin Township, said the hospital is all about keeping care close to home.
“I'd like to thank you folks,” Nespoli said. “This kind of plan doesn't happen without your support.”
Nespoli said the hospital plans to open in November.
“This is about community,” he said. “I'd like to thank our employees and docs everyday for their support.”
The $80 million campus will be located on more than 100 acres at the intersection of Fairyland and Harrity roads.
In October 2019, St. Luke's University Health Network broke ground for the St. Luke's Carbon Campus which will provide a range of specialty services in a full-service, three-story, 155,000-square-foot hospital.
Built with American steel, the St. Luke's Carbon Campus will be equipped with 80 beds, 20 emergency department exam rooms, three operating rooms and two OR procedure rooms. Specialty services will include trauma, cardiology, neurology and radiology, among others.
Blue Mountain Resort
Green, who has served as president of Blue Mountain Resort, said the resort closed this month with KSL Resorts.
She said KSL, which now manages the Lower Towamensing Resort, plans to fully develop the mountain to its potential.
Green said KSL Resorts “has a lot of expertise that we didn't have ourselves.”
KSL Resorts also bought Camelback Resort in Tannersville about 18 months ago, but Green said the goal is to “keep us totally separate resorts.”
Green said KSL Resorts invested in Blue Mountain Resort because of its excellent ski reputation, among other attributes.
She said the plan is to maintain the individuality/personality of the mountain and to provide the tools to make it even more successful.
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Purcell, president of Lehigh Valley Hospital - Carbon said he is excited for the new hospital.
“There is a big demand, big needs for services,” Purcell said.
Purcell said the hospital is scheduled to open by spring of 2022.
“It's a great place to work,” Purcell said. “We are very excited to be opening in April.”
Purcell said the hospital will offer a higher level of health care to the community, and add 150 jobs.
The new hospital, located cattycorner to the Walmart Superstore on Blakeslee Boulevard, will cover over 100,000 square feet and feature 18 private inpatient beds, a 12-bay emergency department, two operating rooms, two procedure rooms and four observation rooms with plans to expand in the future.
LVHN broke ground for the hospital in December and marked the event with a virtual ceremony.
Palmerton Borough
McGarry said the borough's downtown has really flourished as of late, as several previously emptied storefronts have since been filled with various businesses, the Palmerton Pub and Colossal Radio among them.
She also lauded the borough's police department and fire department for their service to the community.
McGarry hinted to capital projects in the works and discussed several potential recreational pursuits.
McGarry noted how there are various organizations in town “that really look out for the town.”
“It's a beautiful town,” McGarry said. “The two hospitals have been a boost and a bonus.”
Palmerton Borough Park
Federanich, representing the Palmerton Chamber of Commerce, as well as several other organizations in the borough, mentioned the improvements that are currently underway to the bandstand in the borough park.
He also discussed Palmerton Day, which will be held Aug. 22 and will include events all day along with a DJ, two bands, fire, police and ambulance departments, games, and music.
Federanich also announced the day will mark the dedication of the newly-renovated bandstand.
He said the day will be totally free, and at no expense to anyone.
“It's your community, in the heart of your community,” Federanich said.
