The annual edition of Pennsylvania Work Smart. Live Happy publicizes several aspects of why the Lehigh Valley economy is booming.
The magazine is published by Livability Media on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED). It spotlights the resurgence of manufacturing in the Lehigh Valley in an article entitled, “A New Trajectory: Innovators in Lehigh Valley put a 21st century spin on manufacturing roots.” 
“Putting ideas into action is in Lehigh Valley’s DNA,” the article says. “In the last century, the titans of steel, iron and textiles led the way. As the global economy transformed, regional leaders realized they could stand still or embrace change, welcoming a new generation of makers to Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and the surrounding communities.”
The article explains the diversification of manufacturing in the region, including life sciences, food and beverage, and advanced manufacturing.
“Everyone loves a comeback story when something or someone you thought had run its course gets even bigger and better – that’s the story of manufacturing in the Lehigh Valley,” Don Cunningham, President and CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC), said in the article.
Manufacturing is the top sector of the Lehigh Valley’s economy, with more than 750 manufacturers generating an output of $8.4 billion in 2021.
Manufacturers contributed 18% of the region’s private sector economic output. The manufacturing economy was among the top 15% of U.S. metro regions and among the top 50 markets for the production of food, medical supplies, and other non-durable goods.
Pennsylvania Work Smart. Live Happy is used by DCED and regional economic development organizations across Pennsylvania to introduce the commonwealth to executives, site selection consultants, commercial real estate professionals, and others interested in bringing business to Pennsylvania.
The Lehigh Valley is featured prominently in this year’s edition, with a “Get to Know Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania” foldout ad on the inside front cover that shares the “Made Possible in Lehigh Valley” campaign.
The issue includes an article by Gov. Josh Shapiro, who delivered the keynote address at LVEDC’s 2023 annual meeting in March. In the article, Shapiro cited the Lehigh Valley in extolling the possibilities that Pennsylvania holds for business.
“Pennsylvania has a rich tradition in economic leadership – from the worldwide commercial success of Crayola in the Lehigh Valley to the cutting-edge technology of Astrobotic in Pittsburgh,” Shapiro wrote. “I want to plant a flag here in Pennsylvania and show the country that we are going to be the best. That we are going to do big things.”
The magazine features entrepreneur Paul Hodges, Co-Founder and CEO of Soltech Solutions in Bethlehem. He explains why he and his two partners chose Bethlehem in 2014 as the location for their business, which sells plant lights.
Hodges recalled seeing Bethlehem on a list published by CNN of the top 100 places to start a business.
“We realized we wanted to move here when we decided to check it out, and we just walked Main Street, South Side, and all of a sudden, it kind of hit home. We could just see this as the kind of climate and culture we needed to grow our company, but also grow ourselves socially,” Hodges said.
He cited the guidance and assistance Soltech Solutions received from Lehigh University, the Small Business Development Center, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.
Air Products is featured in another article, “DEI in Action.”
The industrial gas supplier, which has its global headquarters in Lehigh County, is cited for being on the Forbes 2022 list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity and for earning a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index.
“Air Products’ higher purpose is to bring people together to collaborate and innovate solutions to the world’s most significant energy and environmental challenges,” said Mindy Fitzgerald, the company’s Global Director of Diversity Culture and Engagement. “To do that, we need diversity of experience, diversity of background and diversity of thought. If everyone at the table comes from the same background and thinks the same, we risk getting stuck in homogeneous ways of work and problem solving.”
The magazine can be read online here.