LVEDC unveils 2009-2014 Strategic Plan at Mid-Year Investors? Meeting

6/24/09

Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s (LVEDC) Board of Directors approved the 2009-2014 LVEDC Strategic Plan prior to Tuesday’s 2009 Mid-Year Investors’ Meeting held at the Williams Center for the Arts on the campus of Lafayette College in Easton.

The Strategic Plan serves as LVEDC’s guide for progressive regional efforts that will result in our continued success in attracting, retaining and creating businesses of all sizes in the Lehigh Valley. From our origins in 1995, LVEDC has been committed to building a culture of collaboration and regionalism that pays off in a better quality of life for all Lehigh Valley residents.

Led by three volunteers of our Executive Committee - Donald Bernhard, Manager of Community and Economic Development of PPL Corp; Robert Episcopo, Director of Business Development with Alvin H. Butz, Inc.; and William Michalerya, Associate Vice President, Government Relations and Economic Development at Lehigh University – the process of realizing the Strategic Plan began 15 months ago and involved a diverse group of public and private sector partners, LVEDC board members and standing committee chairs, as well as members of the LVEDC staff.

“Our organization’s value, expertise and vision is clearly conveyed through this 2009-2014 Strategic Plan,” said Philip B. Mitman, President and CEO of the LVEDC. “We have focused our priorities on how we plan to cultivate business, advance sustainable development, intensify our regional partnerships, boost our region’s innovation and create the capacity to succeed for more businesses. With the continued support and leadership of our investors, Board of Directors, and public and private partners, we are confident these goals will be accomplished.”

We encourage you to view the entire Strategic Plan online at www.lehighvalley.org under About LVEDC/Mission and Services.

Following the Board of Directors’ meeting, LVEDC’s 2009 Mid-Year Investors’ Meeting, sponsored by Verizon, featured the presentation of awards for the Attraction, Retention and Urban Development Projects of the Year and the Volunteer of the Year.

Major sponsors also included PPL Corporation, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Innovative Design & Publishing Inc., Klunk & Millan Advertising, Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino, P.C., as well as our partners, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, and the Lehigh Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.

TreeCycle Inc. received the Attraction Project of the Year honor. The environmentally-friendly company makes wood pellets that are used as biofuel, recently moved into a new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant located in Plainfield Township that has created 25 new jobs. LVEDC provided TreeCycle assistance through our regional development team for site location, as well as procuring capital through Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) financing that played a major factor in their decision to position the majority of their operations in Northampton County.

The Retention Project of the Year was awarded to Wacker Polymers, a dynamic leader for high-quality binder and polymer additives. The company continues to build on their legacy of excellence with the construction of its Wacker Polymers America headquarters facility in Upper Macungie Township. The decision to remain in the Lehigh Valley was the result of an acquisition in 2008 by Wacker Chemie AG of the Air Products Polymers and Wacker Polymer Systems. The new facility will consolidate the company’s North American operations under one 67,000-square foot roof. Wacker Polymers utilized the LVEDC’s Business Retention and Expansion Program in addition to our regional development services.

The Urban Core Project of the Year was given to Allentown Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) for the Bridgeworks by the Creek Industrial Condominium in Allentown. AEDC pursued the project with the goal of turning a former brownfield site into modern industrial space, fostering both economic development and job creation. Built speculatively in 2007 through a contract with J.G. Petrucci Co., Inc., the building contains 87,500 square feet and offers four (4) modern industrial condominiums. The facility is home to Blend-Pro and Eastern Surfaces, who will have brought over 100 new jobs to the City of Allentown.

Last, the Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Kassie Hilgert, who is a tireless champion for the LVEDC. Hilgert, who serves as vice president of advancement at ArtsQuest, has graciously served our organization for more than five years on the Marketing, Strategic Planning, Executive, Nominating and Selection Committees. As chairperson of the Marketing Committee, she has helped move the communication and coordination forward with leading the development of important branding and communication messages that will help educate board members, investors and the general public about all aspects of the organization.

The Keynote Presentation was given by Jeff Finkle, President & CEO of the International Economic Development Council.

For more information, please contact Stephen Althouse at 610.266.3817 or salthouse@lehighvalley.org.