A standing-room-only crowd of nearly 1,000 gathered March 17 for the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s Annual Meeting, as the region marked a series of milestone achievements in its growing economy. 
Gov. Josh Shapiro called the region “a model for communities across the country to follow,” pointing to a surge of investment, job growth, and collaboration that has positioned the Valley as the No. 1 mid-sized market in America.
That success was underscored by new details about Eli Lilly and Company’s planned $3.5 billion manufacturing campus — the largest economic development project in the region’s history and the largest life sciences deal in Pennsylvania.
The Annual Meeting, presented by Capital Blue Cross at ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem, highlighted how LVEDC and its partners are advancing strategies to develop talent, attract and grow businesses, and keep the community vibrant as it grows.
The meeting, which was livestreamed by WFMZ-69, can be viewed here.
Shapiro: Lehigh Valley a “Major Player” in Economic Development
Gov. Shapiro shared how state leaders are implementing strategies and programs that are creating jobs and positioning Pennsylvania to compete for community-changing investments such as Lilly.
“We’re going to take inspiration from the Valley’s history of leadership and innovation,” he said.
In the past three years, the state has added more than 22,000 new jobs and secured more than $40 billion in private sector investment, Shapiro said – more than the previous 15 years combined.
He said that’s occurring because government is making Pennsylvania more appealing for business, by issuing permits and business licenses sooner, investing in shovel ready sites, building a workforce, and following a strategy to recruit high-value industries such as the life sciences.
“That’s why we were able to convince Lilly, the most valuable pharmaceutical company in the world – to make the biggest life sciences investment in the Commonwealth’s history nearby in Fogelsville,” Shapiro said.
He lauded the leadership of LVEDC, led by President & CEO Don Cunningham, and other community partners who “pushed hard to get Lilly to come to the Lehigh Valley.”
“That’s just one example of how the Lehigh Valley has proven itself time and again over the years as a major player when it comes to economic development,” Shapiro said. “And it’s thanks to the collective work of this great organization – and all of you – who have worked to develop a focused plan that plays to this region’s strengths to attract investment and create real opportunity. Today, the Lehigh Valley stands as a model for communities across the country to follow.”
Cunningham presented Shapiro with LVEDC’s Leadership in Economic Development Award.
Lehigh Valley a “Strategic Advantage” for Lilly
Daniel VonDielingen, Lilly's Senior Vice President-Global Parenteral Network Expansion, offered details about the manufacturing operations that Lilly plans in the Lehigh Valley, and how it fits into the company’s $50 billion expansion of production across the U.S.
“Why are we here? We're here essentially because we believe it is a strategic advantage for us,” he said. “I hope that you'll also believe that it's a strategic advantage for you to have us here with you.”
The company projects that every dollar it invests in a community drives an additional $4 of spending, he said.
He said the Lehigh Valley has what Lilly needs to succeed, including a skilled workforce, a talent pipeline, and a heritage of manufacturing and innovation.
“It's an environment that encourages manufacturing, biotech, life sciences,” VonDielingen said. 
Lehigh Valley’s Lilly location will produce injectable medicines that are used for weight-loss. It will employ 850 people, about 90% of whom will be hired locally, VonDielingen said.
The multi-building campus will have an automated warehouse, which will operate without employees, allowing Lilly to be more efficient and hire workers for other duties.
The campus is projected to be fully operational by 2031 and create 2,000 construction jobs.
VonDielingen said the Lehigh Valley community’s interest and engagement with Lilly and the record turnout at LVEDC’s Annual Meeting to learn more validates the company’s decision to locate here.
“We're extremely happy to be part of this community,” he said.
Panel Discussion
A panel of local, regional, and state leaders shared an inside look at what it took to land the historic Lilly investment that more than 300 other regions were competing for.
The panel shared how the partners collaborated to meet Lilly’s infrastructure, utility, and workforce needs to ensure the project can be completed on time.
The panelists were:
- VonDielingen from Lilly
- Cunningham from LVEDC
- Jay Biggins, Executive Managing Director, Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co.
- Ben Kirshner, Pennsylvania Chief Transformation & Opportunity Officer
Biggins, whose company worked as the site selection consultant for Lilly, said when a company such as Lilly is searching for a site, it uses a process of elimination until only one site remains. He said there are many factors, but the decision also comes down to developing a level of trust that a state and community can deliver what they promise and keep the project on schedule.
“There’s an immense amount of trust in the people involved,” he said.
Having Gov. Shapiro, Kirshner, and Secretary of Community and Economic Development Rick Siger directly involved in the process added credibility, Biggins said.
He said the work by LVEDC and Cunningham, and all the partners ranging from utility providers to local government to the construction trades, was critical.
“There are so many parties that have come together and get everything right to make these projects work,” Biggins said.
Kirshner said Gov. Shapiro positioned Pennsylvania to compete for the project by developing business-friendly strategies, including the nation’s first Fast Track Program that expedites approvals for significant projects to get them to market sooner.
“It's really working,” he said.
Cunningham said Lehigh Valley could not have competed for Lilly without the state support and new strategies.
He said the vision of local leaders was essential, with property owner David Jaindl and his company working with Upper Macungie Township to have the property where Lilly will build zoned for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Kirshner said the coalition of Lehigh Valley partners led by LVEDC, that included utilities, local governments, and others, worked seamlessly over 18 months.
“Everyone was row in the same direction, and it was just magical watching it happen and you guys deserve a lot of credit,” he said.
VonDielingen said workforce was key in Lilly’s decision. He said Lilly concluded that the Lehigh Valley could provide the talent needed to perform the many roles necessary to make medicine.
“You need to have a workforce that enables manufacturing automation, technology, robotics,” he said. “And we believe that we found that here. You’ve got a long history of manufacturing.”
Community colleges play an important role, he said, as they can provide as much as half of the talent that’s necessary.
Lehigh Carbon Community College will play a key role in helping Lilly to build a talent pipeline by creating and expanding academic and workforce training programs in life sciences.
“Having a system where we could showcase that we had a talent pathway was important,” Cunningham said.
The panel discussion was moderated by Grover Silcox, a long-time television personality and five-time Emmy Award winner.
LVEDC’s Latest Marketing Videos
LVEDC debuted a trio of new marketing videos about the Lilly project as well as the Lehigh Valley’s strong quality of life, and encouraged partners to share the videos.
One video highlights how landing Lilly is the result of decades of hard work, collaboration, and perseverance, positioning the Lehigh Valley as a community-driven region where the future of life sciences is being built. The video can be viewed here.
Another delves into how a “dream team” of regional and state partners worked together over more than a year to secure Eli Lilly and Company’s historic investment in the Lehigh Valley. The video includes leaders from Jaindl Land Development, Lehigh Carbon Community College, PPL Electric Utilities, and Upper Macungie Township The video can be viewed here.
In a third video, leaders of Lehigh Valley companies talk about what a great place the Lehigh Valley is to live and work. The video features interviews with Crayola President & CEO Pete Ruggiero, Martin Guitar President & CEO Thomas Ripsam, Mack Defense President CEO David Hartzell, Olympus Corporation of the Americas President Richard Reynolds, Lutron Electronics Vice President of Global Sales Operations Brian Donlon, and City Center Group President J.B. Reilly. The video can be viewed here.
The videos were produced by Digital Feast of the Lehigh Valley.
No. 1 Market and Record Employment, GDP
The Annual Meeting celebrated Lehigh Valley being ranked as the No. 1 mid-sized market for economic development in the U.S. in 2025, by Site Selection Magazine, for the second time in the past three years. The annual rankings are the benchmark assessment of economic development and growth by the corporate real estate, site selection, and economic development profession.
The Lehigh Valley has ranked in the top ten of mid-sized markets, defined as regions with a population of 200,000 to 1 million people, for the last decade. In 2024, the Lehigh Valley was third. In 2023, the region ranked first.
“This year's No. 1 ranking was driven by investment from a diversity of companies, from large global brands to family-owned legacies, from life sciences, food and beverage production, and advanced manufacturing,” said Steve Hoff, LVEDC Board Chair and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Crayola.
Cunningham said the region has reached new highs in Gross Domestic Product at more than $57 billion and employment at 343,975. Median household income exceeds the state and nation and has grown by more than $17,000 in the last five years, outpacing inflation. 
The Lehigh Valley’s success and momentum stem from commitment and collaboration, he said. Everyone plays a role.
“To everyone who’s adding a piece every day – no matter how big or small – to solve a puzzle many thought impossible, we offer our collective thanks,” Cunningham said.
“Those making our cities and downtowns attractive, safe, and great places to live and visit with excellent restaurants, arts and culture, and community events and festivals. The hospital networks and higher education institutions that attract and retain residents and young people seeking a place to grow and learn. The career and technical schools and community colleges training advanced manufacturing and life sciences workers and those in the trades. The employers who choose to stay and grow here – and those making it a new home.”
Cunningham thanked the Lehigh Valley’s elected officials, “who put parties and parochialism aside to deliver what’s needed to make a region better. People like State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, who this year delivered $100,000 in state funds to support LVEDC’s Education & Talent Supply work – an award-winning initiative to connect businesses to educators and to the talent needed by employers.”
“Thank you to all of you that invest in this coalition with your money, your time and your talent,” he said.
LVEDC Board of Directors
Eight new Board members were introduced at the Annual Meeting, and seven outgoing Board members were recognized for their services.
Joining the Board are:
- Dan Adamo, Vice President, Customer Relations, UGI Utilities
- Rob Cuscino, Vice President, Regional Development – Americas, Evonik Corporation
- John Fistner, Founder and CEO, AblePay Health
- Guillaume Giroudon, Vice President and General Manager, Lehigh Valley Operations, Mack Trucks
- David A. Ruth, President, Northampton Community College
- Josh Siegel, County Executive, County of Lehigh
- Tara Zrinski, County Executive, County of Northampton
- Jeff Warren, Vice President, Northampton County Commissioners
Five Board members were re-elected to another term:
- Lisa Greenawalt, Executive Director, Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
- James Greenfield, President, DeSales University
- Ben Hussa, Vice President, Taxes and Corporate Treasurer, Air Products and Chemicals
- Thomas Ike, Executive Vice President, Lutron Electronics
- Rachel McDevitt, Vice President of Human Resources, C.F. Martin & Co.
Board members whose terms expired were:
- Ann Bieber, President, Lehigh Carbon Community College
- Loren Speziale, Partner, Gross McGinley LLP
- Neal Koplin, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer, Peoples Security Bank & Trust, who was unable to be with us today.
- Carolyn Stennett, Vice President Human Resources, Victaulic
- Phillips Armstrong of Lehigh County
- Lamont McClure of Northampton County
- Lori Vargo Heffner of Northampton County
LCCC Award
Dr. Ann Bieber, President of Lehigh Carbon Community College, recognized LVEDC for its efforts in leading the regional team of partners who worked to secure Lilly’s historic investment.
LCCC intends to dedicate a wall inside its new Science and Technology Center, which will prepare students to work at Lilly and other life sciences companies, to recognize the partners whose leadership and collaboration helped make the opportunity possible.
She presented Cunningham with a rendering of the wall in recognition of LVEDC’s service.
Lehigh Valley Trivia
What food is Yocco’s famous for? Is Dorney Park older than the Golden Gate Bridge? Which revolutionary medicine did Eli Lilly and Company first produce in 1923?
LVEDC brought Lehigh Valley Trivia to its Annual Meeting, where the record audience tested their knowledge on their smartphones. With answers ranging from hot dogs to insulin (and yes, it’s true about Dorney Park), the fast-paced game highlighted the iconic brands and stories that define the region’s economy and community.
Prizes were awarded to the top three finishers, courtesy of ArtsQuest, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, and the State Theatre Center for the Arts.
250th Time Capsule
The Annual Meeting kicked off a partnership between LVEDC and the National Museum of Industrial History to collect items for a time capsule, in recognition of America’s 250th Birthday.
Attendees were able to suggest what Lehigh Valley products or items should be included in the capsule. Suggestions will continue to be accepted for several months. (Look for more on that soon!)
Annual Meeting Sponsors
Capital Blue Cross was the Presenting Sponsor of LVEDC’s Annual Meeting. Cocktail Sponsors were BSI Corporate Benefits and Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba. Gold Sponsors were Alvernia University; B. Braun; Community Bank; Crayola; Fulton Bank; PenTeleData; Steamfitters Union 420; and WFMZ. Silver Sponsors were Evans Wealth Strategies; Hatzel and Buehler; HNL Lab Medicine; Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health; Peoples & Co.; St. Luke's University Health Network; Suites at 462 Main by Hotel Bethlehem; Whiting-Turner Company; and Wind Creek Bethlehem. Community Sponsors were ADVANCE at Cedar Crest; Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania; CLA; Ethosource Office Furniture; H.T. Lyons, Inc.; Lesavoy Butz & Seitz, LLC; Moravian University-University Partnerships; OraSure Technologies, Inc.; PPL Electric Utilities; RESPEC; and ServPro Team Davis.
(Photos by Marco Calderon Photography)