Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create economic challenges, economic development in the Lehigh Valley continued as a strong pace in 2021, as the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) reported throughout the year in its newsletter and blog.

Below are some of the most-read LVEDC blog posts from 2021:

Lehigh Valley Among The New York Times’ “Favorite Facts for 2020”

Every year, The New York Times publishes tens of thousands of news articles. At the end of each year, their editors pick the “most interesting, striking or delightful facts” to appear in articles from throughout the year and shares them with their readers. This year, the Lehigh Valley made the cut.

Jaindl Enterprises broke ground in February 2021 on a six-story office building at the Waterfront, a mixed use development on the former Lehigh Structural Steel site. (Photo Courtesy of Jaindl Enterprises)

‘New Class of Office’ Under Construction at Allentown’s Waterfront

Jaindl Enterprises has broken ground on a $39.5 million office building, the first project in the larger Waterfront development that promises to transform an old industrial patch along Allentown’s stretch of the Lehigh River.

OraSure Technologies Gets FDA Authorization for COVID-19 Test

OraSure Technologies has received emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, which are known as InteliSwab and are designed for home use without the presence of a healthcare professional.

Mack Trucks Manufacturing Fully Electric Refuse Truck in the Lehigh Valley

Mack Trucks is manufacturing its first fully electric vehicle, a zero-emissions refuse truck called the Mack LR Electric. And they’re being made right here in the Lehigh Valley. Pre-production vehicles of the revolutionary new model are already underway at the company’s Lower Macungie Township facility.

Wrapped in Whimsy and Ingenuity, Stuffed Puffs Factory Opens in Lehigh Valley’s Hot Industrial Market

Stuffed Puffs founder Michael Tierney has been pioneering the proprietary process for a decade. He moved to Lehigh Valley to build the business with an investment from Factory and Richard Thompson. He chose the region to open his second manufacturing plant to supply Walmart and other retailers across the country.

Easton Hospital Enters ‘Era of Rebuilding’ After One Year with St. Luke’s

This month marks one year since the St. Luke’s University Health Network acquired what was then called the Easton Hospital, which had been losing money for years. Since that time, finances there have stabilized, and St. Luke’s is now focused on adding new services at the hospital.

Lehigh County led the state’s 67 counties at 12.3% growth and Northampton County came in fourth at 8.8%, according to Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) analysis of new population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

OK, Boomer: Here’s Why Lehigh Valley’s Rising Young Adult Population is Good for the Recovery

Lehigh Valley has a notable advantage as the economy emerges from the pandemic and companies rethink how and where to do business: young adults. Lehigh Valley’s population between the ages of 18 and 34 grew by 10.7% over the last decade, a faster rate than every other region in Pennsylvania.

2020 Census: Lehigh Valley Ranks Among PA’s Fastest Growing Regions

Lehigh Valley’s population grew by 6.2% since 2010, making it among Pennsylvania’s fastest growing regions, according to recently released 2020 Census results. The once-in-a-decade mandatory counting pegs the population in Lehigh and Northampton counties at 687,508, a gain of more than 40,000 residents in the last 10 years.

Lehigh Valley Commands One of America’s Hottest ZIP Codes

The Lehigh Valley now commands one of America’s hottest ZIP codes. A recent report from Realtor.com, a website of the National Association of Realtors, identifies 18018 in Bethlehem, Pa., as the nation’s No. 12 hottest ZIP code in 2021, ranking higher than other sought-after neighborhoods in cities ranging from Charlotte to Denver.

LVEDC President & CEO Don Cunningham interviews Shelly McWilliams, President of Lehigh Valley Plastics.

LVEDC Concludes Second Series of Executive Video Interviews

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation has concluded its second series of video interviews highlighting recently-appointed corporate leaders at some of the largest and most prestigious companies and employers in the Lehigh Valley.

SEE ALSO: Made Possible in Lehigh Valley’s Top 10 Most-Read Stories of 2021