Editing Allentown, Pennsylvania (section)

===21st century===
{{See also|Economy of Allentown, Pennsylvania|Neighborhood Improvement Zone}}
Responding to the late 20th century economic downturn in the city, Allentown began seeking to diversify its economy in the early 21st century. [[Economy of Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown's economy]] saw growth in its service, health care, transportation, warehousing, and some manufacturing industries. In 2009, the [[Neighborhood Improvement Zone|Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ)]], created by the [[Pennsylvania General Assembly]], sought to address Allentown's economic challenges and encourage the city's development and revitalization. The NIZ includes approximately {{convert|128|acres|abbr=off}} in Center City and the city's riverfront district on the west side of the [[Lehigh River]].

In 2006, [[Agere Systems]], formerly [[Western Electric]], was acquired by [[LSI Corporation]], and the company relocated to [[San Jose, California]]. Three years later, in 2009, [[Mack Trucks]] relocated to [[Greensboro, North Carolina]], and many Allentown-based factories downsized considerably or ceased operations entirely.

In 2014, Center City underwent major restructuring, including constructing and opening [[PPL Center]], a 10,500-capacity indoor arena, which hosts the [[Lehigh Valley Phantoms]], a professional [[American Hockey League]] ice hockey team, and other sports, entertainment, and concert events. A full-service [[Renaissance Hotels|Renaissance Hotel]] also opened in Center City, and older office buildings were redeveloped.<ref name="NIZ">{{cite web |url=http://www.allentownpa.gov/Neighborhood-Improvement-Zone |title=Neighborhood Improvement Zone |website=allentownpa.gov |access-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024154423/https://www.allentownpa.gov/Neighborhood-Improvement-Zone |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2024, ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' ranked Allentown as one of the "150 Best Places to Live in the U.S." and the nation's fifth-best city to retire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Places to Retire in the U.S. 2024-2025 |url=https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-retire |website=realestate.usnews.com}}</ref>