BETHLEHEM, Pa. — For three days, 13 Pennsylvania lawmakers have taken a tour of the history, culture, experiences, food, and hospitality that the Lehigh Valley has to offer.
Those House lawmakers make up the bipartisan House Tourism & Economic & Recreational Development Committee — a group that shapes legislation surrounding Pennsylvania’s tourism, economic growth, and recreation.
The committee was invited by Lehigh Valley 250, an organization formed to create programming and marketing for the Lehigh Valley’s celebrations of the 250th anniversary of America in 2026. It is similar to larger organizations like America 250 that works towards the same goal at a national level.
Organizers of the visit say the committee came to “engage in dialogues and conversations to better understand how regional arts and cultural organizations drive tourism and economic development, and learn how the region will be marking the national anniversary in 2026.”
Hearing held in Bethlehem
Lawmakers on Tuesday visited Bethlehem landmarks such as SteelStacks, the National Museum of Industrial History, ArtsQuest, and Zoellner Arts Center.
The committee convened a hearing Wednesday at Historic Hotel Bethlehem where panels representing different facets of the Lehigh Valley discussed their plans and funding needs to mark America’s 250th anniversary.
Karianne Gelinas, vice president of regional partnerships and talent strategies at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, welcomed the group.
“We’re one of the fastest-growing regions in the commonwealth, especially among young people, and among the fastest-growing regions in all the Northeast.”Karianne Gelinas, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation
Gelinas said the Lehigh Valley is home to almost 700,000 people and is accessible to a workforce of 1.7 million people within a one-hour drive.
“We’re one of the fastest-growing regions in the commonwealth, especially among young people, and among the fastest-growing regions in all the Northeast,” she said. “With growth, we’re evolving and becoming more diverse, where everyone can find a place to belong —from idyllic rural farms to vibrant urban cores and everything in between.”
She said the Lehigh Valley’s economic growth and manufacturing industry are among its strengths, pointing to iconic brands such as Crayola, Martin Guitar, Mack Trucks, and Portland Cement.
“More than 15,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors, from global leaders to start-ups, call Lehigh Valley home,” Gelinas said. “We boast an annual GDP of over $50 billion, larger than the GDP of two states, Vermont and Wyoming.”
Arts and culture
Various members of a separate panel, the panel for tourism and hospitality, discussed the arts and cultural experiences of the Lehigh Valley, elaborating on how organizations like ArtsQuest and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs plan to celebrate in 2026.
They also touched upon the impact and distinction of Lehigh Valley offerings like Musikfest, Christkindlmarkt, the Banana Factory and SteelStacks.
“The arts and festivals are more than just entertainment, they are catalysts for tourism, economic development, cultural engagement, job creation and community building,” said Kassie Hilgert, president and CEO of ArtsQuest. “ArtsQuest stands as a prime example of how investment in the arts can enrich, not only cultural life of a community, but also its economic and social value.”
“The arts and festivals are more than just entertainment, they are catalysts for tourism, economic development, cultural engagement, job creation and community building.”Kassie Hilgert, president and CEO of ArtsQuest
She said the ability to enrich a community relies on financial investment.
“ArtsQuest, along with every other tourism and art organization, needs new and consistent funding or incentives to increase our market reach, cover escalating costs and infrastructure, and invest in new programming as well as people because programming doesn’t happen without people, which means more jobs,” Hilgert said.
She said there is a large projected increase in visitors to the Lehigh Valley during the 250th anniversary as many people will be drawn to historic areas, or participate in the increased programming at local organizations.
The desired funding, she said, will be necessary to support efforts throughout the year, even beyond the Fourth of July, as events like the PGA Championship tournament, the World Cup, and the MLB All-Star game, all held in Philadelphia in 2026, will greatly increase visitors to the state and Philadelphia’s surrounding areas.
Money tight to come by
Speakers across various panels discussed a desire to capitalize on that influx of people by drawing them to the Lehigh Valley.
“What we really do need is help with marketing, we need funds for marketing, we need funds to help pay for our services that we’re going to have," said Fadia Halma, the Lehigh County advisory member from AmericaPA 250. "We're going to be a year celebration, it’s not just the Fourth of July week, so what I’m asking for is funding from you.
"I really think that the things and the programs that we need to do this right — and to not only get our own Lehigh Valley people energized in really celebrating our local treasures — is also we know that Lehigh County, we’re going to be taking in people who can't get into Philadelphia.”
However, the desired funding did not appear to be easy to come by.
“The biggest thing that we’re here for is funding. I think you all sold us on your organizations… but I’m going to put this right back on (the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development),” said state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery County, one of the 13 committee members.
Ciresi said the committee previously tried to get more funding and “were laughed at.”
“We pushed hard, we went with a letter, we went to every legislator and we got nowhere….I’m sick and tired of going back and asking for money and not getting the money that we need…” he said. “The clock has run out, I mean there is no more time… What has to happen to get the 100 million plus that we need to see PA250, to be able to support Lehigh Valley 250?”
Ciresi suggested the attendees use their voices and “unite as a choir” to “let their legislators know, and the governor and everybody else, that we need this funding and we need it today, not tomorrow.”
1st visit in 9 years
State Rep. Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery and chair of the House committee, said she understands the need for funding.
“It’s not the first time we’ve heard it, but it’s just been a challenge for us so we need to all work together,” she said.
After Wednesday's hearing, the 13 representatives traveled to Easton, including visits to the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, the Sigal Museum, the Crayola Experience, the Bachmann Publick House and the Williams Center for the Arts.
The final day of the tour Thursday will continue as committee members visit Coca-Cola Park in Allentown and have a roundtable discussion with regional partners for 2026 “to discuss collaborations and regional connectivity in eastern Pennsylvania.”
This week's visit is the first time the committee has come to the Lehigh Valley since 2015, after Allentown's PPL Center. was built
