Engaging a Skilled, Diverse Workforce
Lehigh Valley, Pa.'s economic success depends on its ability to attract, retain, and engage a diverse and skilled workforce. Talent is the asset employers value most when making location or expansion decisions.
Our growing talent pool is becoming more diverse, building on the region’s rich tradition of welcoming newcomers with vast differences in life experiences. Stretching back to the Industrial Age when immigrants arrived looking for jobs in the region's factories, mills, and quarries, the Lehigh Valley continues to grow because people come here for better opportunities.
Today, diverse groups comprise 30% of the Lehigh Valley’s population. Lehigh County is among the top 4% of all counties in the United States for people relocating from other countries. The Lehigh Valley boasts many religious institutions of diverse faiths. And organizations supporting the LGTBQ+ community provide critical health, youth, arts, and cultural programs.
Community Resources
Workforce diversity is more than a demographic representation but a culture in which different experiences and backgrounds are embraced.
LVEDC values efforts that support and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. To that end, we offer this list with some of the community, educational, and cultural resources working to advance those goals. Please check back as this list is being updated.
- The U.S. Census produced a Community Resilience Estimates for Equity tool to help communities understand their social vulnerability and equity. It includes household information, such as Internet access and health care insurance, that provide context for equity discussions.
- The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission provides analysis on racial and ethnic identity in the region and inequities and access to opportunities such as education, housing, job access, and technology.
- Pennsylvania Careerlink Lehigh Valley serves as a clearinghouse on job opportunities and resources, including information on hiring special populations.
- The Small Business Administration offers programs that support businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, LGTBQ, and Native Americans.
- LINC-LV, a nonprofit, focuses on supporting employers, relocated employees, and the community in matters of partner career, integration assistance, diversity and inclusion. The organization provides resources and forums to work toward those goals and works with companies to facilitate those discussions.
- Color Outside the Lines, a regional initiative led by Community Action of the Lehigh Valley, is a five- to seven-year strategic plan to address racial inequalities and disparities in housing, economic opportunity and employment, education, criminal justice, and quality of life with focuses on mental health, health, arts and culture, and recreation.
- The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce leads a DEI Collaborative, a result of the growth and success of its Diversity Councils, including the African American Business Leaders Council, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, LGTBQ Business Council, Veterans and Military Council, Women's Business Council, and Young Professionals Council.
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The Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority provides low-interest loans -- up to 90% of eligible costs or $250,0000 -- to businesses owned and operated by minorities. For more information, email David Dunn, program manager at Allentown Economic Development Corporation.
- The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown provides programming, outreach, and services to strengthen and support the region's LGBT community. Its Training Institute offers programs to many different types of groups, including businesses.
- Lehigh Valley SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, provides mentoring for entrepreneurs and educational programs.
- The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, and Faces International have partnered on Project Equity, which seeks to build a equitable and sustainable nonprofit sector.
- Eight Lehigh Valley organizations are partnering to promote equity and boost minority-owned small business in Allentown as part of the Philadelphia Federal Reserves' economic development program "Reinventing Our Communities" (ROC).
Power of Diversity
“I believe the Lehigh Valley is positioned to unleash the power of diversity. Businesses moving beyond words, implementing equitable and inclusive processes and practices gain an immediate competitive advantage. I know because I work for one.”
— Ismael Arcelay, Director of Recruitment for Special Populations at Lehigh Carbon Community College
