The LVEDC 2018 Annual Meeting was held March 14 at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

We’ve reached the halfway point for 2018, and already the year has brought numerous positive stories about the Lehigh Valley economy and regional economic development. Below a few of those success stories; click on the links to read the full articles about them.

The Lehigh Valley is the top region of its size in the Northeast for economic development for a second consecutive year, according to Site Selection magazine. It was also ranked one of the Top Five overall regions of any size.

LVEDC is preparing to unveil the findings of a new talent supply study that will allow the Lehigh Valley to blaze new trails in how we grow, recruit, and retain talent for the region.

For a second consecutive year, LVEDC hosted a visit and tour of the Lehigh Valley for dozens of site selectors, commercial real estate brokers, and other business location decision-makers.

LVEDC Vice President of Administration and Investor Relations Jaime Whalen (left) and LVEDC Board of Directors Chair Jane Long were both recognized by the 2018 Lehigh Valley Women of Influence Awards.

LVEDC Vice President of Administration and Investor Relations Jaime Whalen, and LVEDC Board of Directors Chair Jane Long, were both recognized by the 2018 Lehigh Valley Women of Influence Awards.

Lehigh and Northampton counties were two of only 18 counties in Pennsylvania which have had an increase in population since 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In the 49 other counties, the population estimate was unchanged or decreased.

Fourteen census tracts in the Lehigh Valley have been included in the proposed list of Pennsylvania tracts submitted to the federal government for the newly-created Qualified Opportunity Zones.

Officials from LVEDC attended the prestigious Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference this year, as well as two of the world’s most prominent foreign direct investment events.

A recent study by the Brookings Institution found that the Lehigh Valley is in a far stronger position than most other regions across the country that is classifies as “older industrial communities.”

LVEDC released new testimonial videos featuring leaders from various Lehigh Valley businesses, including B Braun Medical Inc., City Center Lehigh Valley, JLL, Just Born, Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke’s University Health Network, and Victaulic.

Air Products received a Leadership Award from LVEDC for its continued commitment to the Lehigh Valley, and Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Jennifer Grant spoke at the LVEDC 2018 Annual Meeting.

LVEDC participated in a site tour of Lehigh Valley redevelopment success stories, will be featured at the upcoming Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference, and participated in the groundbreaking of the Green Knights Industrial Park in the Slate Belt.

LVEDC co-sponsored a visit to the Lehigh Valley by the Israeli Ambassador and Consul General in New York to discuss a new agreement seeking to promote cooperation and shared business ventures between Israel and the state of Pennsylvania.

LVEDC has hosted several other events so far this year, including a panel discussion on urban growth in the region, State of the County events in Lehigh and Northampton counties, and a gathering of Lehigh Valley’s legistative delegations.

LVstartup, a monthly e-newsletter by LVEDC about entrepreneurs and startups in the Lehigh Valley, celebrated its three-year anniversary in July.

LEDC welcomed new members to its Board of Directors this year, released its 2017 Annual Report, and unveiled a series of new digital billboards highlighting the Lehigh Valley economy.

Several companies have celebrated new projects or expansions in the Lehigh Valley this year so far, including AblePay Health, Access Networks, Campbell and Strasser, City Center Lehigh Valley, NAURA Akrion Inc., Norac, PAC Worldwide, Silbrico Corporation, and Silgan Containers.