The actual receipients for the 2013 Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation Awards ceremony scheduled for 5 p.m. on October 16th at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown  have been announced.

National Penn Bank–

2013 Urban Project of the Year – Commercial

The bank will take up residence in the top six floors of the 11-story, Two City Center building, located at 645 Hamilton St. in Allentown, fueling the center city’s robust renaissance.

Scott V. Fainor, Chief Executive Officer and President of National Penn Bank

Crayola, LLC

2013 Urban Project of the Year – Industrial

The crayon maker opened an 800,000 square foot, state-of-the-art distribution center earlier this year on the grounds of the former Bethlehem Steel site in South Side Bethlehem.

Peter S. Ruggiero serves as an Executive Vice President of Global Operations at Crayola LLC

The Green Knight Economic Development Corporation

2013 LVEDC Partner of the Year

The non-profit, community-based organization spurs activity in the Slate Belt region.

Bob Cornman, vice chairman of Green Knight EDC

Michelman Steel Enterprises, LLC

2013 New Business Project of the Year

The Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County-based company concentrates on steel fabrication for the construction of bridges and large buildings.

Eric Michelman, owner of Michelman Steel

Follett Corporation

2013 Expansion Project of the Year

An industry leader in designing and manufacturing ice storage bins, refrigerators and freezer expanded their Easton-based operations with building renovations, new equipment and employee training.

Richard Hooper, Chief Financial Officer at Follett Corporation

Freshpet

2013 Attraction Project of the Year – Small-Medium Business

The company moved to Lehigh Valley Industrial Park IV creating 125 new jobs in the process.

Richard Thompson, CEO of Freshpet

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.

2013 Attraction Project of the Year – Large Business

The company relocated a facility to Upper Macungie Township in Lehigh County that will employ 165 people who will produce drinks and snacks when it opens in January 2014.

Randy Papadellis, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Ed Poloway, Senior Manager Operations Planning, Ocean Spray Cranberries

The 2013 LVEDC Awards recognize companies and individuasl for their outstanding contributions to the economic development of the Lehigh Valley.

“The Lehigh Valley has a reputation for having an outstanding business climate and versatile workforce and this is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the businesses and people who have decided to invest their time, talents and money into the Lehigh Valley,” said Don Cunningham, LVEDC president and CEO. “Our entire region economy has benefitted from these projects with new jobs created, an increased tax base and an improved quality of life.”