In 2022, about 40% of the companies that spoke with the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC) about establishing or expanding a business in the Lehigh Valley were from outside the United States.

With a resurgence of interest over the last couple years from international companies, it was fitting for LVEDC to promote the region to a large international audience at the 2023 SelectUSA Investment Summit outside Washington, D.C., May 1 to 4.

LVEDC staff attended workshops and presentations on attracting international businesses and spoke with representatives of businesses from several countries, including South Korea, India, Romania, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and Nigeria, that are taking their first steps in exploring options for establishing operations in the U.S.

“SelectUSA provides a great opportunity to tell the Lehigh Valley’s story to international companies looking to establish or expand their presence in the United States,” said Kristin Cahayla-Hoffman, LVEDC Vice President of Business Development and Attraction.

“Our location, our access to markets, our transportation infrastructure, and our skilled labor force are strong selling points for international companies considering the United States. SelectUSA has particular value because many of the businesses attending may not know where the Lehigh Valley is, and what advantages we offer,” she said.

More than 80 international companies from 23 countries have facilities in the Lehigh Valley. In 2022 alone, international companies completed or announced projects totaling 2 million square feet of development in the region. Those projects included a 310,000 square-foot manufacturing expansion by B. Braun (Germany), an innovation hub established by Evonik (Germany), a manufacturing plant opened by Easy Signs (Australia), a regional center announced by ABB (Switzerland), and smaller projects by companies such as Travaglini (Italy), and Hekipia (France).

SelectUSA, hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the federal government’s highest profile event dedicated to promoting international business investment in the United States.

“Now is an excellent time to invest in the United States,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, citing recent government initiatives designed to grow the economy, address climate change, strengthen supply chains, and create good-paying jobs.

LVEDC's display at the SelectUSA International Summit.

“Foreign investment plays a significant role in advancing those goals,” she said.

The 2023 event drew a record attendance of nearly 5,000 people representing more than 80 countries.

LVEDC was one of more than 100 exhibitors at the event, including states, regional economic development organizations, federal government agencies, and business services providers. Economic development partners and iconic Lehigh Valley brands Mack Trucks and Just Born generously donated items that LVEDC staff used to generate interest and start conversations.

In addition to meeting with representatives of international businesses, LVEDC staff held interviews with journalists representing publications from France, Germany, and Japan about regional economic trends and the attraction and growth of international businesses in the Lehigh Valley.