The Pennsylvania Business Retention & Expansion Program

An important resource to help grow the Lehigh Valley economy and jobs is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Business Retention and Expansion Program.

Eighty percent of all new jobs are created by employers already located in our region. While most people think about “attracting new business” as the key role of economic developers, “Business Retention” is by far the most efficient and effective means of job creation.

In 1996 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania created a proactive outreach to employers to find out their critical issues for growth and success. LVEDC and our partners are the agents  who interview and introduce these employers to Federal, PA or local resources in order to satisfy their needs.

The Pennsylvania Business Retention and Expansion Program is financially supported by the Commonwealth and coordinated locally. The Lehigh Valley effort is coordinated by the Lehigh Valley Economic development Corporation (LVEDC). Each year we reach out and connect with more than 800 Lehigh Valley employers.

Key resources used to assist Lehigh Valley employers include Federal (SBA) and Commonwealth of PA financing programs coordinated by LVEDC; workforce development and training via the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board and Community Colleges; site assistance by LVEDC, as well as other programs and providers.

Understanding the needs of Lehigh Valley businesses helps the Commonwealth and LVEDC measure the importance of current and new business retention and attraction initiatives.

To view the latest Lehigh Valley Business Retention and Expansion Program report on our web site...  click  "BREP" Report

For more information or to arrange a visit by one of our representatives, please  contact:

Bob Wendt - BREP Regional Coordinator

Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.

bobwendt@rcn.com  www.lehighvalley.org

610.266.7619  Fax: 610.266.7623  Cell: 484.515.1342

2158 Avenue C, Suite 200, Bethlehem, PA 18017-2148

Please visit our new web site www.lehighvalley.org for information on

Business Services and Resources available through LVEDC and our Partners.

Need Demographic Data; Please Go to http://www.lehighvalley.org/page.cfm?pag=296    

Lehigh Valley Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j8FjsRVB8k