At the Nov. 14, 2024, East Allen Township Board of Supervisors meeting, supervisors held a lengthy hearing regarding the potential development of four controlled environment greenhouses on Locust and Arrowhead roads. Representatives on behalf of Bright Farms presented a report.

Bright Farms plans to construct four large greenhouses to grow lettuce for the dozen or more products they produce. The company makes salad kits that are sold locally.

One representative explained the Bright Farms controlled greenhouse operations complete 10 times the output on acreage compared to traditional farming. She noted its greenhouses use 80% less resources than traditional farming. Bright Farms operates greenhouses in several states around the country.

The representative noted that having greens grown locally helps keep products pesticide fee, healthy and fresh.

Bright Farms is owned by Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately held conglomerate headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. They own numerous businesses, employ about 55,000 people and earn about $21 billion in revenue per year.

Residents were allowed to ask questions and to comment on the plan.

One resident, who opposes the greenhouses, said the township is trying to save open space but then turns around and allows a business to take up valuable farmland.

A farmer spoke up in favor of the project, saying that, if this is the future of farming, he felt it is important to support the greenhouses rather than be left behind.

The hearing was closed after about two hours. A final decision on the project was not made.

In other business, the board granted permission for township Manager Brent Green to advertise the 2025 East Allen Township budget, which holds the line on taxes.

A financial security release was granted to Northampton Area School District for its Route 329 elementary school land development project in the amount of about $2.8 million.

An ordinance will be advertised accepting Bernie Way as the name of a new street near the planned elementary school in Seemsville. The board also granted permission to develop an ordinance to set speed limits on various township roads.

The East Allen Township Volunteer Fire Department volunteer incentive program was allowed to include $3,500 for an upcoming awards event designed to reward volunteers. The fire department is currently under budget in its board-approved incentive program account.

Green was granted permission to apply for a Local Share Account grant for $220,156 for equipment for the Northampton Regional EMS service. Northampton Regional provides ambulance service to East Allen Township.

The board also authorized Green to apply for an LSA grant in the amount of $500,000, requiring no matching funds from the township, for upgrades at the historic Dech House exterior. The Dech House is located at the corner of Colony Drive and Weaversville Road and possesses a rich history dating back to 1737 and William Penn’s Walking Purchase.

Supervisors will meet Jan. 9 for a regular meeting and Jan. 23 for a workshop. Meetings are 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 5344 Nor-Bath Blvd. Meetings are hybrid, which include both in-person and virtual options. Visit eatwp.org to review the agenda and access the meeting virtually.