The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors recently approved a three-year strategic economic development plan and a budget for 2022.
The budget of $3.1 million represents a return to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels after two years of budget reductions.
The LVEDC Strategic Plan for 2021-2024 is the result of a national consultant’s study and input from public and private sector leaders in the region. It calls for more urban asset growth and brownfield reuse; planning and zoning efforts that balance the growth of e-commerce and distribution with much-needed facilities for production, manufacturing, and the life sciences; and
economic development work in entrepreneurship and startups.
“This new strategic plan has been more than a year in the making,” Edward Dougherty, LVEDC Board chairman senior vice president and Lehigh Valley Health Network chief business development officer, said. “It reflects input from a broad coalition of stakeholders and takes into account the economic changes taking place across the globe and the opportunities it presents for the Lehigh Valley.”
Garner Economics, a national site selection consultant that helps metropolitan regions assess their economic competitive positions, conducted a survey of business, education, and local government leaders. LVEDC used the information obtained from Garner to write the plan.