A Tiff About the TIF: Northampton County to Hold a Public Hearing on Dixie Tax Break Tonight, But No Vote Until May

April 16, 2026

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

It’s time for another tiff about the TIF.

That is, another time for Northampton County Council to hear about a Tax Increment Financing plan that would allow Skyline Investment Group not to pay taxes on improvements at the old Dixie Cup plant in the Borough of Wilson.

Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight. Details are below, and the meeting will be broadcast.

Skyline would pay property tax based on the land value but not on the 400 or so apartments it plans to convert the paper-cup factory into. That deal, known as a TIF, could save the developer more than $20 million.

The Borough of Wilson and the Wilson Area School District have already agreed to the TIF, which will cost them tax revenue until the break ends in 20 years. Northampton County Council rejected it last year, but council has new members and Skyline is back for another try.

The building has been little-used since Dixie shut down decades ago, and Skyline has done some work at the site. It’s still big and ugly. They also plan development nearby.

The idea behind the TIF and similar deals is to spur development of sites that might not be profitable without being partly on the public dole. So Wilson homeowners will continue to pay their full tax bill while a big development will not. It doesn’t seem fair, but it’s allowed by the state and lots of big builders have gotten breaks.

The supporters of tax breaks say they will create jobs and development and in time add to the tax base. Opponents say they are a gift to wealthy developers. The Dixie TIF could save the builder more than $20 million.

Skyline has talked about preserving the big cup on the roof and putting it a ground level. I have no idea why anybody would want to spend money on that and it raises questions about the whole development.

So tonight, Northampton County Council will hold a public hearing on the TIF. Each individual tax break requires its own ordinance, thus the hearing.

The land is certainly eligible for development, no matter what it means for the 25th Street intersection with Route 22. The property is right off 25th Street, near Wilson Area High School and Easton Area High School.

When it comes to development, that doesn’t mean a lot. The land was industrial for many years.

There is the chance of a Council vote on the TIF on May 7.

Here is a link to the county announcement, and here is a cut-and-paste version:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

1921 AT DIXIE AVENUE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

In accordance with the Tax Increment Financing Act, Act 113 of 1990, as amended, 53 P.S. §6930.01 et seq., the Council of Northampton County, Pennsylvania will hold a public hearing on April 16, 2026 at 6:30 p.m., prevailing local time in the Northampton County Council Meeting Room, 3^rd Floor Council Chambers, 669 Washington Street, Easton, Pennsylvania 18042. A possible vote on the ordinance may take place on May 7, 2026 at 6:30 p.m., prevailing local time, in the Northampton County Council Meeting Room. 

The purpose of the public hearing is to present and review the proposed 1921 At Dixie Avenue Tax Increment Financing Plan (the “Plan”) for the project known as the 1921 At Dixie Avenue Tax Increment Financing District (the “District”).

The proposed District is located in the Borough of Wilson and within the Wilson Area School District and consists of two tax parcels, County Parcel ID Number L9-40-1A (Lot 1A0837), in the approximate size of 9.81 acres and County Parcel ID Number L9-40-1B (Lot 1B0837), in the approximate size of 2.77 acres, consisting of the former Dixie Cup factory site and an adjacent parking area, located at 315 South 24^th Street, Easton, Pennsylvania.

The Tax Increment Financing Plan will be implemented by the Northampton County Industrial Development Authority. The Authority proposes to issue two or more series of bonds or notes to assist in completing certain costs of the project as described in the Plan and to pay a portion of related borrowing costs, which bonds or notes will be paid from the proceeds of incremental tax revenues generated within the District over a period of 20 years.

At the public hearing interested parties will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to express their views on the concept of tax increment financing; the proposed creation of the District and its proposed boundaries, the proposed adoption of the Plan for such District, and the benefits to the Borough, the County, and the Wilson Area School District.

Those unable to attend the hearing may provide written comments to the Council of Northampton County by the close of business on April 10, 2026. Those comments may be sent by U.S. mail or other delivery to Alene M. Shafnisky, Clerk to County Council – TIF Comments, Office of Northampton County Council, Northampton County Government Center, 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042 (with copy to Northampton County Solicitor’s Office, Northampton County Government Center).

A copy of the Tax Increment Financing Plan is available for inspection at the Administrative Offices of Northampton County and the Office of Northampton County Council, Northampton County Government Center.

Alene M. Shafnisky

Clerk to Council