From the start in 1995 the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation has been committed to building a culture of regionalism to accomplish a greater good. An aspect of that commitment manifests itself in the priority capital projects, a process designed to promote the Lehigh Valley to economic development funding with all an “all hands on deck” approach by showing the support of the entire region for projects that may be specific to a particular city or county.

With the year only just over a month old, LVEDC has given the process a facelift. Economic development directors of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton are meeting quarterly to work with LVEDC and the Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley delegation to identify a short list of top-flight projects. The information will be published in a through, easy-to-read booklet entitled Lehigh Valley Development Priorities.

“Meeting every quarter allows Lehigh Valley communities to regularly update the project list over the course of the year,” said Don Cunningham, LVEDC president and CEO. “I think that allows us greater versatility to meet the changing needs of those areas.”

Here is the list of the projects for the First Quarter of 2014.

Project                                                                                                 Location

Adelaide Mill Redevelopment                                                           Allentown

Allentown Metal Works                                                                     Allentown

CRIZ Application (Awarded Dec. 2013)                                         Bethlehem

Simon Silk Mill Redevelopment Project                                        Easton

Black Diamond Mill Redevelopment                                             Easton

F.L. Smidth                                                                                         Lehigh County

Lehigh Valley Dairy                                                                          Lehigh County

Green Knights Industrial Park II                                                  Northampton County

FedEX Ground Proposed Transportation Hub                         Northampton County

The proposals showcase the Lehigh Valley’s great economic potential and present the proposals in the best possible manner. Over the years the united effort has paid handsome dividends as several dozen projects have been fully funded.