BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The economic news was so good, even the balloons at the rafter’s edge knew it. It was the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s 30th anniversary bash at ArtsQuest, and the air was electric.

## A Festive Air of Success

Imagine balloons, trapped in a clear plastic bag, swaying with excitement as if they couldn’t wait to join the party. The moment the 90-minute bash wrapped up, nearly 900 attendees got showered in a colorful storm of balloons.

As LVEDC Chief Executive Officer Don Cunningham took the podium, every statistic he shared drew more smiles. According to him, and I quote, “Economic success requires a village, and we’ve got a great one.”

### The Valley’s Economic History

Let’s backtrack to darker days. Cunningham reminisced about the Valley’s struggles in the 1990s and early 2000s, a time marked by closures and brain drain. “Old has become infused with the new, and we’re better,” he declared, showcasing the Valley’s knack for reinvention. Local businesses and residents have turned this ship around, playing vital roles in the economic rebirth.

“`plaintext
Stephen Hoff, chief financial officer of Crayola, added,
“We have a fabulous quality of life in the Lehigh Valley.
Bethlehem was named one of America’s top places to live by livability.com.”

Check out the stunning image of Don Cunningham spreading cheer with LehighValleyNews.com.

Mid-Sized Powerhouse

The numbers speak volumes. With a GDP of $55.7 billion, Lehigh Valley swings bigger than Alaska or Vermont. And hey, 10,000 jobs sprouted in the last five years, including 2,600 in manufacturing. Talk about a comeback!

Cunningham summed it up, “Statistics are markers of success, not the reason.” The region has captured the essence of sustainable growth. Unemployment’s sitting pretty at 3.8%, an hourly wage averaging $28.87, and a median household income of $81,709—surpassing the state and national averages. The poverty rate? It’s on a decline to 10.5%.

A Shift in Perceptions

Fast forward to 2024. Jay A. Garner from Garner Economics LLC had a chuckle-worthy revelation. A decade ago, folks thought LVEDC was, you know, in need of work. Today, it’s “best in class.” In 2013, businesses saw the Valley as gritty. Now, some say they ditched NYC for Bethlehem and found paradise.

Caption: The Valley’s transformation is nothing short of legendary.

Population Growth: The Catalyst

Hold onto your hats, folks! Population grew by 6.5% over the last decade. Garner called it “huge,” likening it to Sunbelt states’ growth spurs. He turned to Rick Siger, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Community and Economic Development, highlighting the Valley as the state’s “shining star.”

More to Come

A “Making Lehigh Valley Home” panel, led by ArtsQuest CEO Kassie Hilgert, put a cherry on the sundae. Local entrepreneurs unfolded stories of moving to the Valley for its vibrant life and business-friendly environment. Paul Hodges of Soltech Solutions marks the Lehigh Valley as the land where his business dreams took flight.

In the meantime, Rick Siger says they’re hammering the theme, “We’re open for business.” With a substantial $50 million PA Innovation program on the horizon, the focus is clear: pushing life sciences job growth and encouraging large-scale innovation.

Lehigh Valley is an exemplary partner for Pennsylvania’s economic blueprint. Remember, while much has been achieved, the future promises even more. Let’s tip our hats to that!