BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The local economy appears to be rebounding from the worst of the pandemic, according to the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation.
The group held its annual meeting on Tuesday and LVEDC President and Chief Executive Officer Don Cunningham said that over the past year the region has seen the growth of both area’s population and the job market.
In fact, he said, through the pandemic, the Lehigh Valley has become the fastest growing community in the state for young workers.
“From the ashes can rise a phoenix, from decline and decay can spring life,” he said.
Cunningham said the region broke into the top 50 manufacturing markets in the country. And it has nearly overcome job losses caused by the pandemic.
“The Lehigh Valley metro region attracted nearly 12,000 jobs across all industries last year, the most jobs gained in a single calendar year since 1990,” said Cunningham. “It is the population growth, particularly of young workers, that is driving the region’s economic growth, which continued during the pandemic.”
Cunningham said the region is going through an evolution and he believes, with new people and companies moving into the community, the Lehigh Valley is being reborn.
Lehigh Valley Public Media was the media partner for the LVEDC annual meeting.
To see the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s 2022 Annual Meeting, or to read the 2021 report, visit its website at lehighvalley.org.
