LVEDC highlights inclusion of manufacturing, talent supply, workforce development funding in Wolf budget proposal

Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) on Tuesday highlighted the inclusion of funding for manufacturing, talent supply, workforce development in Gov. Tom Wolf’s $36.1 billion budget proposal.

LVEDC noted that these areas of focus align with the Lehigh Valley economy and the overall efforts of the LVEDC.

“Employers and companies seeking a location to operate or expand their businesses continually say their most important issue is finding the talent they need,” LVEDC President & CEO Don Cunningham said. “We appreciate Governor Wolf’s recognition of the importance of this issue, which is critical for both Lehigh Valley and the state of Pennsylvania.”

Wolf’s budget proposal includes a $12.35 million funding increase for manufacturing research, $14 million for a statewide workforce strategy, and a $4.5 billion plan to fund infrastructure projects through a severance tax on natural gas production.

LVEDC said that last month its Board of Directors identified its legislative priorities for the year, which included employer-driven funding to close the state’s skills gap, marketing to attract businesses to Pennsylvania, and increased funding and flexibility for job creation, retention, and expansion programs.

Manufacturing makes up 17.7 percent of Lehigh Valley’s gross domestic product, making it the region’s second-largest economic sector.