By DOUGLAS GRAVES

Special to The Press

In a packed event room at Coca-Cola Stadium, Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong revealed his inner cowboy as he presented his “State of the County” address Feb. 17, while wearing a cowboy hat.

“We have to make sure Lehigh County is always moving forward,” Armstrong said, in his opening remarks.

“We have to create a budget. We’re talking $514 million spent yearly on making sure everything that needs to be done in Lehigh County is done.”

Armstrong covered topics including Lehigh County’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, general infrastructure projects, Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation, emergency rental assistance, small business and nonprofit grant funding, and other highlights from county departments.

According to Armstrong, Lehigh County continues to be in the longest state of emergency declaration in its history.

The county has implemented COVID-19 mitigation efforts in all county facilities, including HVAC improvements, temperature screenings, mask usage, continual social distancing, and daily staff self-monitoring.

He said the safety of county employees and citizens remain the highest priority as county operations continue without interference.

“The county has partnered with United Way to coordinate accessible PPE drop-off sites, and also partnered with the Allentown Health Bureau to update vaccination locations,” Armstrong said. “A mass vaccination and testing site plan has been developed by Lehigh County’s Emergency Management team, along with health care providers throughout our region.

“General Services and Aging departments worked collaboratively to create plans to provide vaccination services for homebound Lehigh County citizens.”

Armstrong also discussed bridges in the county.

“The county continues to invest in its infrastructure by prioritizing necessary expansions, renovations and repairs throughout the community,” Armstrong said.

“Preparations are underway to replace or repair multiple Lehigh County Bridges, including the Wehr Mill Bridge, Walnut Street Bridge, Devonshire Bridge, Geiger’s Covered Bridge, Mosserville Bridge and Manassas Guth Covered Bridge.

“During the past five years, Lehigh County’s bridge maintenance team designed and executed the replacement of two major spans across the Lehigh River: Coplay-Northampton and Hokendauqua-North Catasauqua.

“Both bridges were completed and have restored economic improvement to this location.”

Work on Lehigh County’s Historic Old Courthouse (built in 1812) will be completed before the end of 2022, Armstrong said.

“The county’s utility garage underwent 175 vehicle inspections and 688 work orders, effectively maintaining a quick vehicle return under COVID-19 requirement,” said the county executive. “Lehigh County is currently evaluating the introduction of alternate fuel vehicles to its fleet,” Armstrong said, adding construction has begun at Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation, South Whitehall, in preparation for its new E-Wing.

“Once complete, the new 145,000-square-foot, four story, L-shaped wing will accommodate 240 residents, no more than two to a room, with access to private bathrooms.

“These improvements will create a foundation for advanced resident experiences and improve medical support planning. The expansion is projected to be completed by the end of 2023. Lehigh County continues to improve HVAC systems at Cedarbrook’s Fountain Hill campus, and will continue to monitor resident needs.”

Armstrong said Cedarbrook currently maintains its four-star Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services rating, ranking the county-operated facility as an elite skilled nursing home.

“This high care ranking was maintained throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and through the significant national labor shortage of health care workers,” Armstrong said. “Lehigh County continues to balance taxpayer contributions and resident needs to create a safe environment for the county’s most in need citizens.”

Armstrong said Lehigh County’s Department of Farmland Preservation exceeded more than 26,000 acres of farmland preservation which is a “new milestone.”

He said more than 200 farms were inspected to meet preservation requirements, and recent updates to Lehigh County’s Farmland Preservation Program were approved by the commonwealth.

“New subdivision guidelines were updated, approved and recorded. Applications for farmland preservation are open year-round in Lehigh County. “Currently, there is a waiting list for more than 50 farms,” Armstrong said.

He then discussed financial assistance from the American Rescue Plan.

“Lehigh County continues to provide grant assistance for rental relief, small businesses and nonprofits as we head into 2022,” Armstrong said. “In 2021, over 3,000 families received emergency rental assistance, and more than 650 businesses received funding from the American Rescue Plan.”

As of Feb. 18, the Lehigh County COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program reopened to the public for a third round of applications, according to Armstrong.

“In partnership with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lehigh County will allocate an estimated $2.5 million in funding for local businesses with 100 or fewer employees,” Armstrong said. “Eligible businesses can apply for up to $15,000 in order to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and its related expenses.

“Businesses that received funding from previous rounds are not eligible to apply.”

Armstrong said the Lehigh County Office of Voter Registration is hosting free online webinars to share election information and resources to the public, including information on how to register to vote, how to make changes to one’s voter registration, and how to become a poll worker.

“The office is readily available to all guests and residents seeking to learn more information about their elections,” Armstrong said.

According to Armstrong, the Lehigh County Department of Human Services provides continuous, 24-hour, seven days a week response and assistance to county residents and their families.

He said services also include continuous mental health support, de-escalation training to county law enforcement, assisting families with housing needs to help families reunite and stay out of the child welfare system, coordination with Emergency Management to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to senior and immunocompromised county citizens, and maintaining county recovery programs.

Lehigh County’s Office of Integrated Services continues to promote and provide cross-system training to all DHS offices and other Lehigh County offices.

Armstrong wrapped up his address with an assessment of county’s parks.

“Lehigh County parks became a safe haven for residents seeking relief from the pandemic, and park attendance increased dramatically since 2020,” Armstrong said. “The Trexler Nature Preserve recently completed its master site plan, and will have recommendations available in the capital plan beginning 2023-27.

“Over $21 million in federal grant funding was received to complete an alternate two-lane roadway with an accompanying D&L Trail from Allentown’s Hamilton Street to Whitehall’s Race Street.”

Among the attendees were Lehigh County Commissioners Dan Hartzel, Bob Elbich and Antonio Pineda; state Rep. Pete Schweyer, D-22nd, state Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-132nd, and state Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd.

Grace Crampsie Smith of Bethlehem City Council, Lehigh County Sheriff Joseph N. Hanna; Lehigh County Director of Administration Edward Hozza Jr.; President and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley YMCA David Fagerstrom and Executive Director Clair Sadler of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor also attended.