BETHLEHEM (Tuesday, April 15) – The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation has been awarded three PPL Blue Ribbon Marketing Partnership grants totaling $15,000. The funds will be used to attract new companies and to spur economic development throughout the region.

A total of $6,000 will be allocated for site selector familiarization tours of Lehigh Valley. Another $5,000 is earmarked for lehighvalley.org website enhancements. The final $4,000 will be used to translate website offerings and other marketing materials into foreign languages.

LVEDC sought the grants to assist with its mission of increasing awareness of our region among site selectors, the men and women who often play a major role in steering companies to a specific region.

The LVEDC website is undergoing enhancements to better serve as a conduit of information that can provide site selectors and corporate decision-makers with an accurate and in-depth view of the Lehigh Valley. The new, robust website will also assist the local business community with salient information for growing and staying in Lehigh Valley.

Our region’s $33 billion economy has been attracting foreign direct investment, which is why LVEDC has decided to translate key website material, printed collateral and promotional videos into foreign languages.

 “PPL has a rich history in advancing economic and community development initiatives across the Lehigh Valley,” said Don Cunningham, LVEDC president and CEO. “We are grateful to PPL for awarding these three grants. The money will be put to good use.”

PPL annually provides financial support to a number of local and regional economic development organizations. Grant-worthy projects include the implementation of comprehensive and varied external marketing campaigns, prospecting events and tactical website enhancements.

“Partnering with regional economic development agencies is central to PPL’s Blue Ribbon Marketing Program,” said Donald Bernhard, director of community affairs for PPL Corp. “PPL is dedicated to investing in our communities and is proud to lend its support to the Lehigh Valley with grants that will ultimately spur job creation and economic growth.”