The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) recently held its bi-annual gathering of the region’s legislative delegation during which attendees discussed economic trends and other topics.
More than two dozen legislators and staff members from federal and state offices attended the event, which was held in Bethlehem.
“LVEDC has always had excellent communication and cooperation with the Lehigh Valley’s legislative delegations, and we are committed to continuing those strong relationships and keeping our elected representatives informed about the region and the key initiatives of our organization,” LVEDC President and CEO Don Cunningham said.
Attendees included Pennsylvania Reps. Jeanne McNeill (D), Ryan Mackenzie (R), Steve Samuelson (D), Mike Schlossberg (D), Peter Schweyer (D) and Zachary Mako (R). Other attendees included representatives of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), U.S. Reps. Matthew Cartwright (D) and Susan Wild (D), state Sens. Pat Browne (R) and Mario Scavello (R), and state Reps. Joe Emrick (R), Marcia Hahn (R), and Justin Simmons (R).
Cunningham gave a presentation on talent attraction analysis and marketing. He discussed the population growth in the Lehigh Valley region as well as the newly-launched Made Possible in Lehigh Valley marketing campaign.
“Lehigh and Northampton are among only 18 of 67 Pennsylvania counties with population growth since 2010,” Cunningham said. “And Lehigh County is tied for first in the state in growth year-over-year.”
LVEDC Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Research Karianne Gelinas discussed findings from a study commissioned by LVEDC to assess the regional talent market and identify strategies to grow, recruit, develop and retain talent. Gelinas discussed work groups formed by the LVEDC Education and Talent Supply Council to take action based on the study’s recommendations. The groups focus on issues such as employability skills, career pathways, internships, talent research initiatives and attracting and recruiting talent.