Expanding manufacturers. Creative workforce initiatives. Quality of life. Partnerships with a track record of success.

The Lehigh Valley’s economic momentum isn’t by accident. Twice in the past three years, the region has been ranked as the No. 1 mid-sized market for economic development. Businesses across industries are taking notice.

From life sciences and advanced manufacturing to food and beverage production, Lehigh Valley is adding new companies, while existing companies are expanding.

The region made international headlines earlier this year when Eli Lilly and Company announced plans for a $3.5 billion manufacturing campus. It’s the largest single investment in Lehigh Valley history, and largest life sciences project in Pennsylvania.

Lilly’s announcement was not an isolated event.

Here’s what companies are seeing in the Lehigh Valley.

Manufacturing Strength

Lehigh Valley has always been a land of producers. Today, it’s one of the Top 15% of manufacturing markets in the nation, based on Gross Domestic Product. More than 700 companies collectively produce an output of $9 billion. That represents 16% of the regional GDP; the national manufacturing rate is 11%.

Employment in manufacturing has increased at three times as fast as the U.S. since 2010.

Globally known brands made here include Crayola crayons, Mack Trucks, and Martin Guitars. Peeps, the marshmallow treats that are a staple of Easter baskets, are made by Just Born Quality Confections. Broadcom makes semiconductors. B. Braun makes medical devices. The list is long.

“We are growing in the Lehigh Valley and in Pennsylvania because we have a long history here and of finding skilled workers, high quality suppliers, training partners, and a business environment that enables us to compete and win in the marketplace.” - Rob Albert, CEO, B. Braun of the Americas, Inc.

Location & Infrastructure

Ninety minutes from New York City and 60 minutes from Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley is within a day’s drive of one-third of the U.S. population. The location allows producers to get goods to market swiftly and create effective supply chains.

Lehigh Valley is served by interstate highways, rail, and an international airport with a growing cargo hub.

The ports of New York and New Jersey are nearby, as are international airports in New York and Philadelphia.

“This location made perfect sense, both proximity to the ports and the workforce. We saw a big opportunity. All this made the Lehigh Valley a great location to make this investment.” - Gokhan Kacmaz, Chief Financial Officer, Kervan USA

Talent & Strategies to Grow It

Lehigh Valley has a workforce of 1.8 million within an hour’s drive. That workforce is replenished every year when more than 10,000 students graduate from 11 colleges and universities, and another 1,000 students complete their studies at three career and technical schools.

Innovative programs to train workers include the Industrial Training and Education Consortium (iTEC), a partnership of industry, education, government, and community organizations to promote careers in advanced manufacturing.

Led by Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), more than 100 educational institutions, employers, and community organizations work together as the Education and Talent Supply Council. They identify talent market gaps and implement strategies that strengthen the talent pipeline, including the Hot Careers Dashboard and Hot Careers Guide, and the Lehigh Valley Internship Summit.

“We need to be able to attract talent with many different disciplines, both on the engineering side but the operations and manufacturing side, sales. And the Lehigh Valley offers us the ability to recruit that diverse talent.” - Brian Donlon, Vice President of Global Sales Operations, Lutron Electronics

Quality of Life

Companies want to be where the talent is, and the talent wants to live in places they love.

Lehigh Valley is one of the fastest-growing markets in the Northeast, with the population rising to nearly 709,000. The region is especially a draw for young adults; both Lehigh and Northampton counties rank in the Top 10% of all U.S. counties for adding 18-to-34-year-olds.

People are drawn here because of the attractive career opportunities and variety of lifestyles, from thriving downtowns in cities and boroughs to rural suburban communities. The dining scene caters to many tastes, and recreational opportunities range from music and art to history and sports and the outdoors. Lehigh Valley is home to 11 colleges and universities and top-rated healthcare systems.

Lehigh Valley stands out for its quality attractions and festivals. Five times this year, regional destinations have been voted as the best in America, by readers of USA Today.

• Best Music Festival: Musikfest
• Best Main Street: Main Street, Bethlehem
• Best Minor League Ballpark: Coca-Cola Park
• Best Drive-In: Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre
• Best Historic Hotel: Historic Hotel Bethlehem

“Here in the Lehigh Valley, people can be who they want to be and pursue what they want to pursue. We have diversity of business, education, health care. Rolling hills, beautiful nature, community.” – Thomas Ripsam, President & CEO, C.F. Martin & Co.

Partnerships That Get Things Done

The Lehigh Valley’s success reflects long-term strategy and broad. It is the result of decades of planning, investment, and collaboration.

Led by LVEDC, leaders in business, government, education, and other fields work together, with a regional mindset, to create opportunities for economic growth while investing in quality of life for residents through creative urban redevelopment. Regional strategies target high-value industries, including life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and biotech; semiconductor and technology production; food and beverage manufacturing; and professional and creative services.

Partners work with companies to address every point, from building a talent pipeline to preparing a site to delivering the project on time.

“The currency of business, or at least for us, is about time. We run a business that every product we make will go off patent and become worth zero. So, every day we delay is the real cost to us. Things like the permitting reform, ability to move fast and constructing a site, site readiness from day one. Those are critical elements. That’s why we’re here in Lehigh Valley.” – David Ricks, Chair & CEO, Eli Lilly and Company