The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s (LVEDC) new strategic plan calls for sharper recruitment of companies in high-value industries, the reuse of former industrial sites, and stronger regional coalitions to build the talent and visibility the region needs to compete in tomorrow’s economy.
The Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which can be downloaded here, builds on decades of progress that have reshaped the region into one of Pennsylvania’s fastest-growing economies.
“Most of the challenges and needs of 30 years ago were replaced by a new set that comes with growth and prosperity,” said Don Cunningham, LVEDC President & CEO. “It’s that ability to adapt and plan that has driven the Valley’s renaissance and will carry us forward.”
The mission of LVEDC is to develop regional partnerships and to market the region’s economic assets to support the targeted recruitment, growth, and retention of employers to create jobs for people of all skill and education levels.
The strategic plan was adopted in May by LVEDC’s Board of Directors, a 35-member board which is composed of private employers, education and community organizations, and representatives from both Lehigh and Northampton counties and the region’s three cities.
“Strategic planning has been a driver of the transformation of the Lehigh Valley’s economy into what it is today, one of the top mid-sized regions in the nation for economic development,” said LVEDC Board Chairman Stephen Hoff, also Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Crayola. “This new strategic plan includes input from a cross section of public and private stakeholders.”
The board engaged Garner Economics of Atlanta, Ga., to conduct an independent assessment of the region’s strengths and weaknesses in comparison to its competition across the country. Those assessments and Garner’s recommendations for the Lehigh Valley are part of the three-year plan.
The plan lays out LVEDC’s work in five areas: targeted development, targeted sites, targeted talent, knowing thyself and telling our story, and building partnerships and place.
The industry sectors targeted for development are:
- Life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical
- Advanced manufacturing, technology, and production
- Professional and creative services
- Food and beverage processing
At its core, the plan emphasizes talent, a critical asset employers look for when locating a business. The plan calls for expanding education and employer coalitions, addressing skills gaps, and linking students more directly to employers. LVEDC also intends to broaden its role as an important source of economic data and to elevate the “Made in Lehigh Valley” brand.
Recognizing Lehigh Valley is an established market, the plan prioritizes the reuse of former industrial sites and urban infill areas to support job opportunities and quality of life.
The plan also supports the entrepreneurial ecosystem to grow startup businesses as well as development of the outdoor economy and other entertainment and tourism initiatives to enhance quality of place and visitor experience.
For the first time, the plan moves beyond traditional economic development, calling for collaborative solutions on housing affordability, childcare, and long-term state funding models. Those priorities, LVEDC leaders say, are essential to sustaining the region’s growth and ensuring prosperity reaches across communities.
The plan comes at a moment of strength. The Lehigh Valley is home to 708,000 residents and boasts a $55.7 billion economy, larger than that of three U.S. states. Manufacturing remains an economic cornerstone, producing $9 billion in annual output, while total jobs have climbed to a historic high that now exceeds 340,000. Median household income now surpasses both state and national averages. These achievements reflect the region’s shift from the loss of heavy industry to a diverse and resilient 21st-century economy.