Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation breaks investment record fifth year in a row

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC) experienced record-breaking investment in 2019 for a fifth consecutive year.

Last year, the corporation received $736,600 in private and public investment and sponsorships, according to Jaime Whalen, LVEDC vice president of administration and investor relations and chief of staff. The total is more than $13,000 more than investments received in 2018.

Of the total, $54,000 was sponsorships and $155,000 was public investment from Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Twelve investors were new in 2019, while 14 investors increased their investment from the previous year.

“The investment of our private sector partners has been absolutely essential to our ability to tell the story of the Lehigh Valley and compete with much larger markets,” LVEDC President and CEO Don Cunningham said. “It has enabled us to rank as one of the top five regions in the Northeast for economic development and deliver our messages of transformation and growth to global audiences in The New York Times and Delta Sky magazine. For that support, we are truly grateful to all our partners.”

The investment has allowed LVEDC to pursue new strategic initiatives, including continuing its focus on attracting high-quality talent and maintaining a competitive workplace in the region.