The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has reaccredited Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), recognizing the 30-year-old nonprofit as “highly functioning” and “successful” in supporting talent strategies and business development. 
“LVEDC displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor,” said Nathan Ohle, President & CEO of IEDC, the world’s largest membership association for economic development professionals.
LVEDC is one of only 87 economic development organizations to achieve that recognition. The reaccreditation process involves a comprehensive peer review measuring operations against industry standards. IEDC reviews programming, financials, and community impact, including seeking feedback from partners.
LVEDC was first accredited in 2010, and since been reaccredited five times. Each accreditation lasts three years.
“For 15 years, LVEDC has upheld the highest standards in economic development. This accreditation reflects not just the team’s excellence but the power in partnerships. LVEDC is a coalition made up of the region’s largest companies and organizations working toward the same shared goal of acting as a region, sharing resources, and telling the proud story of the Lehigh Valley and its assets. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but our focus remains on the future, sustaining economic growth and opportunity across our region,” said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of LVEDC.
Lehigh Valley leaders in business, government, and community organizations weighed in with their support of LVEDC and their commitment to economic development. They said the organization has advanced a unified approach to economic development and its strategies are increasing the region’s profile, and programs like its shared services model benefit the Lehigh Valley’s economic landscape.
“This reaccreditation is a testament to the strength and collective commitment of LVEDC’s public and private partners,” said Stephen Hoff, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Crayola and Chairman of LVEDC’s Board of Directors. “I’m honored to help lead this coalition into its next chapter. The progress we’ve made is real — but sustaining and building on that success will take all of us, working together, with renewed energy and shared purpose.”
In their Reaccreditation Report, IEDC’s reviewers highlighted LVEDC’s award winning, best-practices in attracting and retaining talent, and its success in business and real estate development. They cited Lehigh Valley’s ranking as the No. 3 mid-sized market in the U.S. for the number of new economic development projects in 2024, by Site Selection magazine.
Reviewers also said they were impressed with LVEDC’s marketing materials, including the annual report.
“The real success has been their remarkable ability to attract and retain talent,” they said.
Examples of talent initiatives they cited included the annual Internship Summit; Hot Careers Guide and Dashboard; and the Education and Talent Supply Council, which includes employers, educators, and community organizations who collectively create regional strategies to help the Lehigh Valley attract, develop, and retain its workforce.“
They cited real estate development initiatives focusing on “hard to do” projects, and sharing market intelligence and resources.
“LVEDC has been successful recently in business development by landing a number of quality, diverse economic development projects, including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and construction materials. They have also seen success in real estate development, including a number of brownfield redevelopment projects transforming former industrial sites.”
“We find this to be a highly functioning, successful economic development organization that is worthy of reaccreditation,” IEDC said in its report. “They are a well-supported public/private partnership with broad and long-term financial and political capital.”
In 2024, about 150 companies and organizations financially backed LVEDC’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.
LVEDC was founded in 1995, as globalization challenged the heavy industry that had been the cornerstone of the region’s economy for more than a century. Business and community leaders made a bold choice to market the region not as two counties, three cities, and 62 municipalities, but as one Lehigh Valley, and lay the foundation to support the creation of a diverse economy for the 21st century.
Over the years, LVEDC has received top honors from IEDC for its work. In 2024, the Excellence in Economic Development Awards won by LVEDC were:
Gold Award, Special Event, for the Fall Signature Event, “Lehigh Valley’s Technology Sector: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”
Silver Award, Economic Development Organization of the Year.
Silver Award, Lehigh Valley Hot Careers Dashboard.
Silver Award, LVEDC Annual Report.
(Photo by Nancy Henry-Naiho)