Prosper Lehigh Valley

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, is seeking the following individual: Coordinator, Sustainable Development The coordinator of sustainable development will support the director and the administration of a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant.  Work will include organization of public meetings, grant reporting and financial accounting.  The incumbent coordinates monthly meetings of the LV Sustainability Consortium meetings and other committees as they are developed.  The coordinator will support the director in data collection to ensure compliance with the contractual agreement with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Experience in grant administration and/or bookkeeping preferred.  PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide general administrative support to director of sustainable development. Track requests for payments and monitor compliance with budget Support implementation of partners responsibilities and contractual obligations In conjunction with director, review and update work plan   This position is requires experience in Microsoft Quick Books and general accounting principles. Experience in Microsoft Office is required. Knowledge of contract management and grant administration is preferred. Book keeping experience preferred. Minimum education required is an associate’s degree and three years of work experience is required.  Cover letter and resume should be sent to: Ms. Jean Mateff LVEDC 2158 Ave. C, Suite 200 Bethlehem, PA 18017 JMateff@lehighvalley.org

Monday, November 21st was a day for the LVEDC record books. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of many talented people and agencies, LVEDC was awarded a historic $3.4 M grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop the Lehigh Valley Sustainable Plan during a news conference held at the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley (CACLV) in Bethlehem. The amount was the largest the organization’s ever recevied. As noted above, this was by no mean a solo effort. LVEDC had the cooperation and collaboration of several very talented and important partners throughout the Lehigh Valley whose total efforts produced this regional success. The funding was allocated to the Lehigh Valley Sustainability Consortium, consisting of 11 public and non-profit entities. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission; Lehigh and Northampton Transit Authority (LANTA); Renew Lehigh Valley (RenewLV); the Lehigh County Department of Community and Economic Development; the Northampton County Department of Community and Economic Development; Wildlands Conservancy and the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and CACLV. LVEDC served as the lead applicant. It is not an exaggeration that this intiative will positively impact the quality of life for all Lehigh Valley residents. The LVSC will create a sustainable Lehigh Valley by implementing the Comprehensive Plan The Lehigh Valley… 2030, which meets the definition of a sustainability plan and embodies the six livability principles. LVSC will further the adoption of the plan by promoting adoption of affordable housing policies at municipal level and fostering transit related land development to support public transportation. LVSC will also prepare an Assessment of Jobs/Housing Balance and a Regional Economic Development Plan that promotes sustainability. Throughout the development of the Regional Economic Development Plan and promotion of the Comprehensive Plan LVSC will engage the community through public participation sessions. All types of communities will be targeted in this process to ensure all populations are given voice in direction of the region.   The Consortium aims to develop stable, working communities by connecting workers with economic opportunities throughout the region and bringing jobs back to the cities. The opportunity gaps and the distributional inequalities in the region will widen unless addressed by aggressive policy that is both sustainable and transformative.   The first step of this process will be an update to the report titled An Affordable Housing Assessment of the Lehigh Valley, 2007 including data associated with Housing in the Lehigh Valley, 2008. This update will direct the implementation strategies of the Lehigh Valley Affordable Housing Effort that is housed at CACLV.   The Consortium will foster transit related land development as a key component to creating a more livable Lehigh Valley. LANTA will monitor land development and pursue ordinance changes along priority transit corridors. In addition, LANTA will be a key partner in the development of the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Plan.   A Jobs and Housing Study will be developed by LVPC and will be the jumping off point for a Comprehensive Economic Development Plan. This Economic Development Plan will focus on increasing economic competitiveness and improving the relationship between job locations and housing opportunities. An economic model will be employed to create and analyze various economic scenarios as part of this plan.   Finally, the region will become more sustainable by fostering three catalytic projects — one each in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. These projects will directly improve and support existing communities, and increase the access to jobs for these neighborhoods.   Throughout all pieces of the work plan, the Lehigh Valley Sustainability Consortium will engage the communities. By utilizing the resources of CACLV all of the partners in the Consortium will have meaningful input from under represented populations of the two counties.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer says when it comes to the Marcellus Shale, the future is now. Sec. Krancer made his comments during an insightful speech to about 65 Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation public and private-sector investors and partners during last Friday’s Legislative and Governmental Relations (LGR) Committee Luncheon at the Best Western Plus Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center in Bethlehem. Pa. DEP Sec. Krancer: Urges passage of H.B. #1950“It is crucial that we are governed in sound science and facts as it relates to the Marcellus Shale,” Sec. Krancer said. “And we have reached a crucial time.” That crucial time, according to Sec. Krancer, involves House Bill #1950 that was introduced last Wednesday to the House of Representatives. The bill contains initiatives adopted by the state-appointed Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission and Gov. Corbett that would, Krancer said, provide the state DEP the required tools to guarantee the safety of Marcellus Shale drilling. “I exhort you to tell the legislators it is time for them to do their jobs,” he said. Sec. Krancer, who reminded the audience that he is a former judge and that the governor is a former prosecutor, said he had no tolerance for those who would be “bad operators” toward the environment. “I say let’s throw the book at them,” he said. “We simply cannot tolerate cheaters.” That said, he added that many of the public’s concerns are simply misguided, inaccurate or ideologically driven, saying natural gas is the “cleanest burning fossil fuel.” The secretary’s message transcended the mere safety of Marcellus Shale drilling, instead positioning the industry as a vibrant economic driver that has and will continue “to spur family-sustaining job creation and can help reverse brain drain” throughout the entire Commonwealth. “In addition we are also talking about lower gas and lower electricity prices.” Although the governor’s initiatives do call for impact fees, Sec. Krancer dismissed the notion of extraction taxes. “Let’s be clear about this, the industry has already paid $1.1B in taxes and $2.6 B in royalties.” Sec. Krancer was nominated by Gov. Corbett on Jan. 18th and confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate April 26, 2011. Prior to becoming the DEP secretary, he served as a Chief Judge and Chairman of the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board (EHB). Secretary Krancer also served as Assistant General Counsel for Exelon Corp. The LGR luncheon series is organized by LVEDC’s LGR Committee, who hosts meetings throughout the year to keep investors apprised of various legislative issues. The Legislative Luncheon Sponsor is Air Products. Gold Sponsors for Secretary Krancer’s address were HDR Engineering and PPL Corp. Lunch Event Sponsors were J.M. Uliana & Associates, Fitzpatrick, Lentz and Bubba, and SSM Group.