The cover of the newly-released LVEDC Business Resource Guide.

Just in time for the new year, the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) has released a new guide for helping businesses come, start, and grow here in the Lehigh Valley.

The LVEDC Business Resource Guide provides information about how LVEDC can assist businesses with its needs, particularly in the area of financing, real estate, technical assistance, and labor and workforce.

It also particularly highlights LVEDC’s Business Outreach Program (BOP), which uses a customer-oriented approach to economic development designed to link Lehigh Valley businesses to resources throughout the community that will help their business become more profitable.

“The BOP program provides a single point-of-contact for all of your business needs, and helps to identify resources to assist you in succeeding in today’s competitive environment,” said Melody Bradford, LVEDC Director of Business Outreach Programs. “We’re available to meet with companies to discuss their operations, needs, and plans for the future.”

The eight-page LVEDC Business Resource Guide can be downloaded here, and hard copies can be made available upon request at no cost.

The guide describes the wide variety of financing options and loan programs LVEDC offers to address an array of business needs. It particularly highlights the Lehigh Valley Lending Network, a revolutionary partnership with 15 regional banks that streamlines the process for companies seeking financing, incentives, and new bank relationships.

The Lehigh Valley Lending Network won the prestigious Excellence in Development Finance Program Award from the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) this year, and the program is gaining recognition as a best practice across the country.

The LVEDC Business Resource Guide also discusses how LVEDC can assist businesses seeking to relocate to the Lehigh Valley by providing them regional, economic, and demographic information. This includes assisting them with incentives, coordinating with state and municipal officials, and providing assistance in site and facility availability.

The guide also touches upon technical assistance LVEDC can provide, discusses the organization’s redevelopment program, and discusses how regional companies can find the right talent and keep its workforce’s skills up to date, particularly with help from the Lehigh Valley Workforce Development Board (LVWDB).

Additionally, the LVEDC Business Resource Guide includes a directory of regional partners the organization frequently collaborates with, including Lehigh and Northampton counties; the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton; the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED); the Governor’s Action Team; and more.