Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) participated in a recent live televised discussion about the strength of the regional economy, and future opportunities and challenges. 
The discussion, “The Economic Health of the Lehigh Valley,” was hosted by Lehigh Valley Public Media on May 28 in Bethlehem. Participants were:
- Don Cunningham, President & CEO, LVEDC
- Kamran Afshar, President, Kamran Afshar Associates
- Kassie Hilgert, President & CEO, ArtsQuest
- Marci Lesko, President & CEO, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
- Sarah Lutz, Assistant Executive Director, Workforce Board Lehigh Valley
- Brittany Sweeney, Host, Lehigh Valley Public Media
The takeaways were the Lehigh Valley is faring well and positioned well for the future, but future economic growth must be sustainable and balanced with impacts on the region’s quality of life. While many economic data points are at all-time highs, there still are some in the community who are struggling and need assistance. And challenges must be met, such as the availability and cost of housing.
Cunningham shared how the Lehigh Valley is ranked as the No. 1 mid-sized market for economic development, with a $57.3 billion Gross Domestic Product that continues to be driven by manufacturing but is balanced with life sciences, technology, food and beverage, and other types of producers. He said a lot of the activity is market driven, and LVEDC focuses on industries that will strengthen the economy and quality of life.
LVEDC’s Strategic Plan focuses on attracting high value industries such as life sciences, food and beverage production, technology and creative and professional services. Cunningham said it’s important for an economy to have employment opportunities for people of every skill and education level, he said. And the region’s logistics industry is providing opportunities for people to upskill and advance.
“You can't just cherry pick high value,” he said. “If you don't have the foundational economy that makes goods and move goods, those other companies aren't going to come. It all works together.”
Afshar concurred, saying there needs to be a variety of jobs at all levels, particularly non-technical jobs.
Cunningham highlighted how the region recently landed its largest investment ever, a $3.5 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing campus planned by Eli Lilly and Company in Upper Macungie Township. Lehigh Valley won that project in part because of its strong talent pool and an educational system that can produce a future workforce for Lilly, Cunningham said.
Hilgert shared how arts and entertainment is major economic contributor, with ArtsQuest events such as Musikfest contributing $192 million to the regional economy in 2025, with 40% of its events free to attend.
Cultural amenities are helping to attract the region’s workforce, she said, and it’s important to continue to grow those opportunities, even amid inflation and other challenges such as rising concert ticket prices: “Continued investment and recognition of that, and prioritization, is certainly as important as it is for ‘meds and eds’ and any other industry here in the Lehigh Valley.”
ArtsQuest is investing by renovating the former Bethlehem Steel Turn and Grind Shop into another events venue.
The availability and cost of housing was identified by several of the panelists as among the greatest challenges facing the region, and the country in general.
Lesko said the top four types of calls that United Way receives for assistance are related to housing. Food, transportation, and childcare are other leading types of help that are requested. There’s a lack of childcare for second and third shift workers, she said.
She said a large part of the region’s population, 40%, earns more than the federal poverty level but struggles to thrive on a regular basis because of a lack of skills to obtain higher-wage jobs.
Lutz said language barriers are a challenge as well, with about 18% of the region’s population not proficient in English.
Workforce Board Lehigh Valley provides free resume support, mock interviewing, and one-to-one job recruitment.
“We don't want to just place folks in a job to get them a job. We want them on a pathway where there's growth opportunity,” she said.
One need is to find pathways for the region’s growing Hispanic community to enter health care careers, Lutz said.
Afshar said the Lehigh Valley, which usually weathers inflation better than the nation, is positioned well. “Lehigh Valley has all the basics of having fantastic growth going ahead.”
He cautioned that there will be unknowns, as the influence of artificial intelligence will change the composition of the workforce.
Lutz said workforce skills that will be in demand in the future are critical thinking and the ability to use artificial intelligence.
Watch “The Economic Health of the Lehigh Valley” here.