BETHLEHEM, PA – February 17, 2011 – Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) has named Stephen Althouse as Business Relations Manager. Since June 1, 2009, Althouse served as the LVEDC Communications Manager.  In his new role, Althouse will develop and coordinate LVEDC’s Business Retention and Expansion Program, an intricate part of the organization’s mission to grow existing business and jobs through interviewing and surveying Lehigh Valley business owners and public sector officials.

For the last five years, LVEDC had operated the Pennsylvania-funded Business Retention and Expansion Program for the Lehigh Valley region.  That program was cut from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development budget in 2010.  LVEDC restructured current staff positions in order to continue providing this important economic development initiative despite the loss of state funding.

 LVEDC’s aggressive job retention and expansion program is a vital component of LVEDC’s Five-Year Strategic Plan.

“Steve’s goal with this program is to preserve jobs and create new opportunities, while providing the chance for Lehigh Valley business owners and leaders to share their thoughts, concerns and ideas for the future of the business community,” said Philip Mitman, LVEDC President and CEO. “His background as a long-time journalist, editor and communications professional makes him the best candidate to visit with our businesses, identify trends and opportunities for growth and how we can assist them, and work with LVEDC staff and our partners to address those needs. Steve will coordinate these business visits with LVEDC’s current and active investors and Regional Development divisions to provide accurate and seamless business and job retention and expansion opportunities.”

 “It’s excellent to have these personal face-to-face interviews with our business leaders, because they live enterprise and capitalism every day,” said Althouse. “Business conditions are not some theory or speech for them, it’s their reality. We learn a lot when we interview someone face-to-face and often we have programs or know other leaders who can provide additional resources for them. That’s how this program shows its value for Lehigh Valley businesses.”

Althouse will also be responsible for researching and writing grants and will continue to be the primary media contact for LVEDC.

Prior to joining LVEDC in 2009, Althouse served as an editor at The Express-Times for nearly nine years, most recently as the Assistant Business Editor of The Express-Times, where he wrote and covered the Lehigh Valley business community and handled editing of regional and national articles.

From 2001 through 2007, Althouse was hired to serve as Editor of The Allentown Times, a weekly newspaper, started by The Express-Times that covered the greater Allentown community. It was during this time that he developed and cultivated relationships with various members of the Lehigh Valley business and political community.

“What I liked about this opportunity was the fact that LVEDC plays a significant, positive role in advancing the economic future of the entire Lehigh Valley by attracting, retaining and expanding business growth and jobs,” Althouse said. “Ultimately we’re about creating a better quality of life and economic prosperity for all residents.”

Althouse earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio-Television-Film and Journalism studies from Temple University. He resides in Allentown.

 For more information, please contact Margaret McConnell at 610.266.7682 or mmconnell@lehighvalley.org.