Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that for the first time the organization will be hosting the “State of the County” addresses for both Lehigh and Northampton counties.

The breakfast events will be made all the more interesting by the fact both executives are new to their posts.

Tom Muller will bat leadoff on Feb. 27 at Coca-Cola Park where he will discuss the Lehigh County he now oversees as executive. Then, on March 12 at 7:30 a.m., John Brown will provide an education about Northampton County at Northampton Community College’s Gates Center.

The State of the County speech is a curious endeavor. It provides not only an update on the condition of the county, but also allows the executive to outline an agenda and provide a stamp for how they intend to govern.

It’s a great honor for those fortunate enough to have received the trust of the people to give the speech. But lest you think it’s easy, well, think again.

Summarizing all the inherent complexities associated with running a mega-million-dollar operation – an entity that tends to the needs of hundreds of thousands of residents who all have different objectives – and doing so in less than 60 minutes is quite a task.

LVEDC interviewed both Muller and Brown shortly after they ascended to office.

“I think public safety helps lead to economic development,” Muller told LVEDC in his interview conducted January 15^th. “…I think quality of life is another reason why companies come here and why companies expand here.”

Brown thinks Northampton County has an improving business climate, but it must learn to live within its means.

“I’m an advocate for the taxpayer and I believe the taxpayers shouldn’t suffer,” he told LVEDC for the interview we published on January 8^th. “The early indicators are that the economy is coming back to pre-recession levels.”

Each event will begin at 8 a.m. with registration starting one half-hour earlier. The events, which are expected to last approximately 60 minutes, are open to the public. Registration is required and more details will be forthcoming.