Gov. Tom Wolf will visit the Lehigh Valley to discuss his budget proposal for community and economic development.

Making his first appearance in the Lehigh Valley since his inauguration, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf will be visiting Bethlehem to share details about his community and economic development agenda with local business and economic development leaders.

The governor will be holding an event on Wednesday, February 25, in Bethlehem, where he will discuss his budget proposal for community and economic development before it is released as part of his budget address on March 3.

“We’re honored that the governor has chosen the Lehigh Valley to discuss this critically important topic,” said Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC). “His decision to host this meeting here is a reflection on the tremendous economic growth our region has experienced in recent years.”

The invitation-only event will be hosted by LVEDC and the Lehigh Valley Partnership.

Throughout his campaign, Gov. Wolf emphasized his commitment to a strategic focus on making Pennsylvania an engine for economic development and a magnet for private sector entrepreneurs who will create good, high-paying jobs and grow the state’s middle class.

This Bethlehem meeting will give the most detailed picture yet of Gov. Wolf’s community and economic development plans. He has previously placed an emphasis on creating jobs, expanding private sector growth, revitalizing communities, improving the state’s technology sector and supporting workforce development.

“The Lehigh Valley has been successful in part due to our regional approach to economic development, but also due to our partnership and close collaboration with the state,” Cunningham said. “We stand fully behind Gov. Wolf in his mission to establish Pennsylvania as the nation’s ‘keystone’ for economic growth, and look forward to working closely with him and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.”

Gov. Wolf will be introduced by Tom Garrity, president of the LVEDC board; Greg Butz of the Lehigh Valley Partnership; and Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez.