Prosper Lehigh Valley

One of LVEDC’s most important functions is to showcase regional development opportunities to prospective companies.  As a way to keep the broker, developer and business community up to date, Regional Development Manager Jarrett Witt has developed the LVEDC Prospect Alert. READ MORE…

It’s not easy starting out as an entrepreneur. For one thing you’re probably tight with cash and high on responsibilities. Not to mention your living room can’t double as your “world headquarters” forever. The Allentown Economic Development Corporation, one of LVEDC’s partners, wants to change that by offering high-tech communal entrepreneurship that will foster a community of innovators who can prosper collectively and individually. AEDC is opening a new communal working space at its Bridgeworks Enterprise Center at 10th and Harrison streets.  Check out more here.

The Baker Institute at Lehigh University has recently developed a Master’s in Technical Entrepreneurship program that will launch later this spring. Classes focus on innovation and new-venture creation, which supports the development of novel, innovative and commercially-viable technologies. The school is hosting an open house at 4:30 p.m. on April 4th at the Wilbur Powerhouse. To learn more about the Master’s In Technical Entrepreneurship program, please click here.

The LVEDC Office of Minority and Women-Owned Businesses is hosting an event that will help grow your business amid a changing and challenging economy. Join OMWOB for a one-hour seminar titled “Effective Interviewing, Assessments and Hiring” followed by a panel discussion with representatives from LVEDC’s internship programs, Lehigh Valley SHRM, the Workforce Investment Board, and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation on local resources for effectively staffing and growing your business. The event is sponsored by Penn State Lehigh Valley and the Sands Casino-Resort in Bethlehem. Location: Penn State Lehigh Valley 2809 Saucon Valley Road Center Valley Date: April 25th Agenda: 3 to 3:30 p.m. – Networking and registration 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Seminar 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. – Panel discussion Cost: $20. There is no charge for LVEDC investors or OMWOB directory members. To register, please call Eduardo Eichenwald at 610-266-2216 or email him at eeichenwald@lehighvalley.org

  LVEDC statement on the Neighborhood Improvement Zone, issued April 18th, 2012 The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation began its life in 1995 as a regional marketing organization, promoting the best development sites that the Lehigh Valley has to offer. That remains a prime function. Recently, as a result of broad input into our new strategic plan, we have grown to encompass critical new functions such as enhancing urban development and sustainable development, improvements that will help attract and retain the best and the brightest of the young generation. Rarely does the opportunity arise to combine these things in a complete way yet the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) provides exactly that opportunity.   It is a project that will transform Allentown and in the long term enable the entire Lehigh Valley region to rise to new levels of economic success.  LVEDC is committed to adding to the collective wealth of the region by working with private-sector partners to market NIZ sites and benefits to companies OUTSIDE OF the Lehigh Valley, as we do for all quality development sites in the region. The NIZ brings an exciting addition to the menu of sites and programs we have to market and is another arrow in our quiver to compliment programs such as Keystone Opportunity Zones, Keystone Innovation Zones, Foreign Trade Zones and Governor’s Action Team incentives. Regional cooperation is never easy but because the Lehigh Valley has met previous challenges it has a burgeoning reputation for being up to the task. It has never been more important to work together and turn into reality the cliché that a rising tide lifts all boats. When these efforts succeed, and they will, it adds to the positive image of our region as an area that continues to proactively reshape its economy in constructive and creative ways. For our metropolitan area to be viewed nationally as a success and a desirable place to locate, the downtowns must be a success. The NIZ is a once in a lifetime opportunity to revive Allentown’s downtown and it is essential that we work together to make it happen and maximize the regional benefits it will bring to our region’s reputation and to economic prosperity.