Investment and sponsorship in Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC) reached another record level in 2023, demonstrating the region’s commitment to work together to grow the economy and create opportunities for all.
Nearly $890,000 was raised by LVEDC, a non-profit organization that markets the economic assets of the Lehigh Valley and creates partnerships to support the recruitment, growth, and retention of employers and the creation of jobs for people of all skill and education levels. 
That’s an increase of about $80,000 from the $810,000 in investment and sponsorship in 2022.
About 150 companies and organizations financially backed LVEDC’s strategies last year.
“Collaboration is the basis of success in the Lehigh Valley. The support of LVEDC investors enables us to implement regional marketing and branding strategies that tell the world our story – about quality of place and the assets that attract companies and people to the Lehigh Valley,” said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of LVEDC.
Information on how to become an investor can be found here.
The record investment occurred during a year when the Lehigh Valley ranked as the No. 1 mid-sized region for economic development, by Site Selection magazine, an authority in the corporate real estate and economic development field. The region also ranked fourth among communities of all sizes in the Northeast.
The Lehigh Valley’s Gross Domestic Product surpassed $50 billion in 2022, based on the most recent data available. The economy is diverse and balanced, driven by a growing manufacturing sector of more than 700 companies that produce a collective output of $8.1 billion.
The Lehigh Valley’s ability to get things done was heralded by Gov. Josh Shapiro as an example for the rest of Pennsylvania to follow.
LVEDC’s investors include businesses, governments, educational institutions, and regional organizations. Most investors are from the private sector, and the two largest public sector investors were Lehigh and Northampton counties, which provided investment totaling 155,000 in 2023.
With the heightened focus on integration of workforce and economic development, the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley invested $30,000, to help drive economic growth across the Lehigh Valley.
“Not only does our community understand the importance of regional economic development strategies but they are willing to stand behind it. The support and participation in our coalition continues to grow,” said Jaime Whalen, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at LVEDC. “It’s with that strength, we are winning against regions much larger in size than us. We are humbled and proud. We hope others will consider contributing to this unique partnership in our work to create and retain good jobs for the people of the Lehigh Valley.”
The regional economic development coalition led by LVEDC grew to add 24 new investors in 2023. Six previous investors increased their investment amount.
The new investors in 2023 were:
Peoples & Co. Private Wealth Stewardship
Swim USA
TD Charitable Foundation
Unity Bank
Ashley Development Corporation
BSI Corporate Benefits
High Construction
iDEAL Semiconductor
OraSure Technologies
Cedar Crest College
Colliers Engineering & Design
Compass Point Family Business Consulting
Da Vinci Science Center
Fast Signs of Allentown
Howard Hanna The Frederick Group
Hotel Bethlehem
Ironton Internet & Telephone
Keystone Food Products
Morris Black & Sons
National Magnetics Group
Norac USA
Penntex Construction
Santanasto Law
Terraform Engineering
The investors who increased their investment and sponsorship in 2023 were:
Crayola
Freshpet
HNL Lab Medicine
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
Muhlenberg College
Gelcor Realty