ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) hosted its fall Tech and Talent event on Thursday, Oct. 10, spotlighting the region’s impressive economic growth, particularly in manufacturing and technology.
Held at the Da Vinci Science Center, the event highlighted key trends, challenges, and opportunities that continue to propel the Lehigh Valley as a powerhouse for economic development in Pennsylvania and beyond.
LVEDC President and CEO Don Cunningham emphasized the Valley’s economic resilience, noting that 16% of the region’s economy comes from manufacturing. “We are a top 50 manufacturing center in the United States, outperforming the national average,” Cunningham said.
The region’s success was underscored by its ranking as number one in economic development projects for markets of 200,000 to 1 million people.
The Valley also outshines other regions in employment. “We have the highest number of people employed in the Lehigh Valley in the history of our community,” Cunningham said, adding that unemployment remains at a low 3.6%.
The region’s median household income now surpasses both state and national averages.
Population Growth and Brain Gain
The region’s growth is not limited to economic output but extends to population, particularly among young people.
Cunningham pointed out that Northampton County leads the state in growth for the 18-34 demographic. “It wasn’t that long ago we were talking about brain drain… Today, it is brain gain,” he said.
The Lehigh Valley is a magnet for domestic and international migration, with Northampton County ranking in the top 5% nationwide for domestic growth and Lehigh County similarly positioned for global migration.
The Importance of Talent
The panel discussion focused on talent acquisition challenges, particularly in tech and engineering.
Allison Valentin, Director of Talent Acquisition at Shift4, addressed the evolving work environment post-pandemic. “There has been a challenge with the skill sets we’re looking for, especially in niche technology roles,” she said, highlighting the difficulty in attracting top talent accustomed to remote work.
Richard Reynolds, President of the Medical Systems Group at Olympus, echoed this sentiment. “The challenge we struggled with as a leadership team was how it was going to affect the culture of the organization,” Reynolds said, emphasizing the importance of fostering collaboration in a hybrid work environment.
Amy Steigerwalt, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at OraSure Technologies, noted a gap in IT and scientific roles. “A lot of the gaps that we have are really in those two areas,” she said.
Robert Cuscino, Senior Vice President of Regional Development for North America at Evonik, discussed the declining number of engineering graduates, compounded by competition from tech giants like Amazon and Google.
A Diversified Economy
While many associate the Lehigh Valley with its booming warehouse industry, Cunningham quickly reminded attendees that the region’s economy is much more diverse. “Our financial technology and business services sector has average wages 60% higher than the Lehigh Valley average,” he said, adding that advanced manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and life sciences also play crucial roles.
Companies like Shift4 and Evonik continue to lead the charge in these high-growth sectors.
Cunningham highlighted the Lehigh Valley’s semiconductor industry, which has deep roots in Bell Labs and Western Electric.
Life sciences also represent a significant portion of the local economy, with over 170 businesses employing nearly 7,000 people in the region.
A Bright Future Ahead
Looking to the future, Cunningham stressed the importance of building strong connections between educational institutions and employers to cultivate the next generation of workers. “A big strategic focus area for us is to connect companies to schools,” Cunningham said.
The region is home to 50,000 college students, with 10,000 graduates entering the workforce annually.
As the Lehigh Valley continues to grow, the focus remains on maintaining a pipeline of skilled talent, particularly in tech and engineering.
The event underscored the region’s bright economic future, driven by innovation, education, and strategic collaboration.
For the Lehigh Valley, the future is not just about maintaining growth—it’s about ensuring the region remains competitive in Pennsylvania and the nation. “We are much more than warehouses,”
Cunningham concluded, highlighting the Valley’s multifaceted economy and ongoing efforts to attract talent and investment.
