Charles Chrin Promoted Palmer Growth

The Route 33 Interchange project in Palmer Township is now more than just a concept.

With a groundbreaking ceremony last week, work can finally begin on a project that may add over 5,000 jobs to Palmer Township.

That highway project is expected to be completed in late 2014.

But the idea for the project and for development of the 800 acres surrounding it came from a concept by Charles Chrin Companies many years ago.

Charles Chrin started buying up land in the northern tip of the township in the early 2000s, according to the Allentown Morning Call.

He did so with a vision of transforming that section into a site that would foster and maybe even making it a regional draw for people.