The Lehigh Valley is the number one mid-sized market in the United States for economic development in Site Selection Magazine’s annual rankings of the country’s 350 metropolitan areas and 50 states. 
The rankings, released March 2, 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.
“The Lehigh Valley is no stranger to being in the top tier of economic development in the U.S. but now we can shout, ‘we’re number one’ in the prestigious Governor’s Cup Awards,” said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC). “While the ranking is great for having the Lehigh Valley recognized across the country, what matters are the jobs and economic opportunity being created for our residents here.”
Site Selection recognized 49 Lehigh Valley projects in 2025 for the ranking. The magazine compiles and compares projects either completed or announced of at least 20,000 square feet, an investment of at least $1 million, or the creation of at least 20 new jobs. Investment from a diversity of companies – from global brands to family-owned legacies in life sciences, food and beverage, and other advanced manufacturing – put the Lehigh Valley ahead of its peers.
“From an operational perspective, the region benefits from a skilled workforce with an experienced distribution and manufacturing environment, as well as constructive collaboration with local stakeholders,” Andreas Podwojewski, Managing Director of North America and Brazil for Arvato, told Site Selection for its article about the Lehigh Valley’s No. 1 ranking.
Interestingly, the 2025 ranking does not include the $3.5 billion Eli Lilly and Company pharmaceutical plant that was announced in January 2026. Construction of that project is scheduled to begin later this year and be completed in 2029.
The Lilly development is the largest in Lehigh Valley history and will generate 2,000 construction jobs and 850 permanent positions with an average salary of greater than $100,00 per year. It’s the largest life sciences investment in Pennsylvania history.
Lehigh Valley competed against more than 300 other regions for Lilly’s investment.
“The Eli Lilly and Company investment in the Lehigh Valley will begin a new chapter of manufacturing here, making high-quality medicines sold throughout the world,” Cunningham said.
The Lehigh Valley’s Gross Domestic Product now exceeds $57 billion. reflecting the strength of a balanced, diversified economy led by manufacturing and supported by growth across multiple industries.
Total employment in the Lehigh Valley has reached an all-time high of 343,975 jobs. Median household income has risen to a record $84,260, outpacing both Pennsylvania ($77,971) and the United States ($80,734). Over the past five years alone, median household income has increased by more than $17,000 — faster than inflation.
Significant economic development projects in the Lehigh Valley in 2025 included:
- B. Braun, announced a $20 million manufacturing expansion with 200 new jobs
- Filter King, opened an HVAC manufacturing operation, creating up to 120 jobs
- Kervan USA, broke ground on a 90,000-square-foot manufacturing/packaging hub
- Kerry Group, opened a coffee roasting and production facility, creating 61 jobs
- Honeywell, opened an office for its new liquefied natural gas division with 100 jobs
- Bosch Rexroth, broke ground on a $20 million logistics hub
- Fuller Technologies, opened a 122,000-squre-foot manufacturing facility and established its global headquarters
A complete list of 2025 economic development projects will be published in LVEDC’s 2025 Annual Report, to be released March 17 at LVEDC’s Annual Meeting, presented by Capital Blue Cross.
LVEDC’s Annual Meeting, Lehigh Valley’s premier economic development event, will celebrate a record setting 2025 in economic development, driven by Lilly. The 90-minute program will share how LVEDC and its partners are working together to continue the momentum and position the region to meet its challenges and continue its success.
Register to attend the meeting here. Registration closes March 12.
Published by Conway Data, Site Selection is an authority in the corporate real estate and economic development field. The magazine has a circulation of 41,000, including executives involved in corporate site selection decisions.