In breaking with tradition, the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation is announcing the winners of its 2013 Awards in advance of the October 16^th event, which will be held at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown.

“This shapes up to be one of our strongest lineups of winning companies and individuals ever so we wanted to share the good news sooner than later,” said Don Cunningham, CEO and president of LVEDC. “By announcing the winners now, it allows the friends and business partners of our award winners to be on hand for the event.”

The 2013 LVEDC Awards will go to…

National Penn Bank

2013 Urban Project of the Year – Commercial

Crayola, LLC

2013 Urban Project of the Year – Industrial

The Green Knight Economic Development Corporation

2013 LVEDC Partner of the Year

Michelman Steel Enterprises, LLC

2013 New Business Project of the Year

Follett Corporation

2013 Expansion Project of the Year

Freshpet

2013 Attraction Project of the Year – Small-Medium Business

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.

2013 Attraction Project of the Year – Large Business

“Once a year, we select a handful of projects that represent the best in economic development that has taken place in our region” said Cunningham. “This year, we will recognize just seven companies and one individual for their outstanding contributions to our region’s economic growth.”

For now, the identity of that “one individual” who has made outstanding contributions to our region’s economic growth is being kept under wraps. That individual will receive the 2013 MVP Award.

The annual awards are LVEDC’s way of saying thank you to those businesses that have chosen to set up shop in Lehigh valley – or expand an existing business.

John McGran, LVEDC vice president of marketing, has promised the 2013 event will have attendees and award winners saying “wow!”

LVEDC has several surprises planned, including the launch of its brand new Lehigh Valley promotional video, which is being produced by Emmy-winning FireRock productions of Allentown.

Event registration will take place at 4:30 p.m., while the award ceremony is slated for 5 p.m. sharp. The evening concludes with a cocktail reception in the Rodale Room at Symphony Hall.

A number of prestigious Lehigh Valley firms have already become sponsors of the awards event, but there is still time to get involved as a sponsor.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Matthew Tuerk, LVEDC’s vice president of administration and investor relations, at (610) 266-6775 or mtuerk@lehighvalley.org.

To place an ad in the 2013 LVEDC Awards program, contact McGran at (610) 266-7682 or jmcgran@lehighvalley.org.

The deadline for locking in on event sponsorships and program ads is fast approaching.

If you plan on attending the event, please reserve your seat by phoning Katherine Schneider at (610) 266-6775 or emailing her at kschneider@lehigvalley.org.

You can also sign up electronically at our EventBrite link:

http://2013lvedcawards.eventbrite.com