Dennis Blocker, president of Blocker Enterprises, appeared before the Lehighton Water Authority and announced plans to build an office complex in Franklin Township that couple employ up to 500 people.

He sought permission to connect to the Lehighton water system that serves the Union Hill sector of the township, a section of which is within 1,000 feet of the proposed complex.

Blocker said he was initially interested in building a strip mall at the site but has since been approached by a firm interested in building an office-type complex that would employ 300-500 people.

The proposed site of the complex is off Route 248, just north of Parryville Borough.