Strong leadership and partnerships, innovative strategies, and the courage to take bold action have propelled the Lehigh Valley’s economic renaissance and positioned the region well for the future, a national expert said at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s recent 30th Anniversary Annual Meeting. 
Jay Garner, a site selection consultant who is President and Founder of Garner Economics in Atlanta and has done extensive work in the Lehigh Valley, said the region has come a long way.
“You haven't relied on others to shape your destiny. You've stepped up. You've made a difference,” he said.
The full house he spoke to at SteelStacks at ArtsQuest - more than 800 leaders from business, education, government, community and other organizations - is a testament to how much things have changed, Garner said.
“I think I can safely say that I don't think you would have the kind of crowd that you have today 10 years ago. It's just magnificent, and that says an awful lot about this organization and the quality of its public and private leadership. So, kudos to all of you on that,” Garner said.
He cited accolades bestowed on the region in recent years including:
- Lehigh Valley being named the No. 1 mid-sized market for economic development in the U.S. in 2023 by Site Selection magazine. (The region ranked No. 3 in 2024)
- Bethlehem being named one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live by Livability.com (in 2023 and 2024).
- Lehigh Valley International Airport being named one of the best small airports in the nation (in 2023 and 2024).
“That's significant leadership right there, and it makes a difference,” Garner said.
What really matters to corporate decision makers when they are considering where to locate their business is data, Garner said. And the Lehigh Valley excels on the most important statistic – population growth.
Lehigh Valley’s population growth of about 6.5% since 2013 – a higher rate than the state and U.S. – is a key indicator of the region’s strength and puts Lehigh Valley in a class with fast-growing areas in the South and West, Garner said.
“This is huge,” he said.
He suggested priorities for the future.
“We're in a new age of economic development. It focuses on talent attraction and retention, product development, and building your region's quality of place. So, this new chapter is focused on things like housing options and affordability of child care, which impacts workforce participation. Building on your already good entrepreneurial framework … growing the Valley's foreign direct investment opportunities, because FDI is going to take off like a rocket these next four years.”
Garner identified “five areas of opportunity:”
Life sciences, including biomedical research and development and manufacturing such as pharmaceuticals.
High-value engineering, including everything from AI to the manufacturing of components that need precision engineering.
Professional services, such as software development, corporate and regional headquarters, data analytics, and music and film services.
Food and beverage processing, such as pet food, farming, beverages, and cold storage facilities.
Quality of place – which Garner dubbed “Prosperity Lehigh Valley” – that includes outdoor tourism, craft breweries, small distilleries, unique retail, and specialty foods.
“All of these targets make the Valley unique,” he said.
Other articles about LVEDC’s Annual Meeting
These Five Facts Reveal How the Lehigh Valley Economy Has Leveled Up
‘Made in Lehigh Valley’ Showcases Lehigh Valley’s Manufacturing Might and Diversity
LVEDC Announces Election of New Board Members and Officers
30 Years Later, Lehigh Valley’s Investment into Regional Economic Development Grows Stronger
READ: DCED Secretary Rick Siger's Remarks at LVEDC Annual Meeting
READ: LVEDC President and CEO Don Cunningham's Remarks from the Annual Meeting
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(Photo by Marco Calderon Photography)