The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) has been recognized as a 2019 Nonprofit Organization of the Year by Lehigh Valley Business (LVB).

The LVB Business of the Year program recognizes the greater Lehigh Valley’s most dynamic businesses and business leaders who share a commitment to professional excellence, business growth, and the community.

LVEDC President & CEO Don Cunningham said the recognition is a reflection of the organization’s partnership with various regional partners and stakeholders, particularly with the recent launch of the Made Possible in Lehigh Valley campaign.

“We are truly honored to receive this recognition from Lehigh Valley Business, which is a wonderful validation of the Made Possible in Lehigh Valley campaign,” Cunningham said.

“Today’s business leaders and decision-makers are telling us they will come to where the talent is, or where they can recruit in competition with other markets,” he said.  “That means that we need to tell a story of place: of our people, our cities, our communities, and our quality of life. That’s what Made Possible in Lehigh Valley is all about.”

The LVB Business of the Year awards celebration will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4, at DeSales University in Upper Saucon Township. Visit here for more information or to purchase tickets.

LVEDC has been honored in the Nonprofit Organization of the Year (Small) category, which recognizes organizations with 1-74 employees, according to Cathy Hirko, LVB associate publisher and editorial coordinator.

“We are honored to be celebrating businesses and nonprofits in the Greater Lehigh Valley that grow and contribute greatly to the business community,” Hirko said. “The LVEDC solidly falls into this category. We look forward to seeing LVEDC and many business leaders at the Dec. 4 event.”

A full list of other honorees can be found here, which includes Business of the Year categories at micro, small, medium, and large levels, as well as Emerging Business of the Year, Executive of the Year, Woman-Owned Business of the Year, and Veteran-Owned Business of the Year.

This is the most recent of several recognitions LVEDC has received in recent months.

The organization received two awards last month from the International Economic Development Council, the world’s largest and most prestigious organization serving economic developers. They included an award for LVEDC’s 2018 Annual Report, and a Silver Award for its Made Possible in Lehigh Valley video.

That video, created by Firerock Productions, was also nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Commercial (Single Spot) in the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. It can be viewed below:

The video can also be viewed on the LVEDC YouTube channel, and we encourage everyone to share it or embed it on your own websites and social media accounts.

The Made Possible in Lehigh Valley campaign seeks to increase outside awareness of the positive attributes Lehigh Valley has to offer, develop a positive image of the region, and market it as an attractive place to drive talent acquisition and retention. Visit the Made Possible in Lehigh Valley website and Instagram account for more information.