In 2024, about 150 companies and organizations financially backed Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s strategies, contributing another record amount in investment and sponsorship, demonstrating a continued and growing commitment to a collaborative, regional approach in building the Lehigh Valley’s economy. 
“The organization was created in 1995 by a small group of corporate executives who realized that they had a unique responsibility, resources, and perspectives to help rebuild the Lehigh Valley economy through a regional approach. We owe them a great deal," said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of LVEDC. "They pooled their resources and invested in building something bigger and better than any one company or city or county could do alone. It worked.”
Investment in economic development increases employment opportunities, providing more choices for people in the Lehigh Valley to support themselves and their families. Those workers in turn support local businesses and the local economy.
“We see the benefits of investing in LVEDC and Lehigh Valley partnerships to develop a skilled workforce of local talent, to support our recruitment and retention of employees, and ultimately create a thriving community for us all,” said Stephen Hoff, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Crayola and the Chair of LVEDC’s Board of Directors.
LVEDC’s private investors are made up of businesses and regional organizations, representing a wide range of sectors and industries of the economy. LVEDC also receives annual public sector investment from Lehigh and Northampton counties. For a complete list of investors click here.
LVEDC is a non-profit that is accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and has twice been named by IEDC as one of America’s top economic development organizations, including a Silver Award last year.
The record investment of nearly $913,000 occurred during a year when Lehigh Valley ranked as the No. 3 mid-sized market for economic development in the U.S. by Site Selection magazine, an authority in the corporate real estate and economic development field. The region ranked fifth among communities of all sizes in the Northeast.
The Lehigh Valley’s Gross Domestic Product is now nearly $56 billion. The economy is diverse and balanced, driven by a growing manufacturing sector of about 750 companies that produce a collective output of $9 billion.
Economic development is about people, and the growth in wages and household income are the statistics that matter most. Median household income is a record $81,709, exceeding Pennsylvania ($76,081) and the U.S. ($78,538). The income growth of $17,000 in five years outpaced inflation.
“It’s our investors who provide resources for us to keep up the momentum and stay in front of changes by supporting the development of meaningful work together,” said Jaime Whalen, Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff at LVEDC. “We’ve been able to build award-winning programs and have been ranked as a top economic development organization in the U.S. because of the muscle and money that stands behind us. Every dollar counts.”
Click here for Information on how to join the Lehigh Valley coalition.
Ten investors, many of them longtime supporters, boosted their level of support in 2024:
Capital Blue Cross
Crayola
Hatzel & Buehler, Inc.
Jaindl Land Development
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
FastSigns of Allentown
Freshpet Kitchens
Swim USA
Provident Bank
Life Sciences PA
Thirteen new or returned investors contributed support in 2024:
Lehigh Valley Building Trades
LINC
Peron Development
Arcadia Land Development
Members 1st Federal Credit Union
Remington & Vernick Engineers
Casella Waste Management, Inc.
Ethosource
Hillwood Investment Properties
RLB Accountants
Stormwater Compliance Solutions
SWBR
Travaglini