ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Imagine if music legend Casey Kasem could be brought back from that big radio studio in the great beyond.
Transported here to count down America’s Top 40 economic development projects in the USA based on similarly sized regions.
For those waiting to learn where the Lehigh Valley ranked, the wait would be long — but ultimately pleasing.
The No. 1 ranking was among many economic positives driven by the region’s manufacturing boom celebrated Thursday at the Lehigh Valley Manufacturing Forum at Delta Hotel by Marriott.
“I’m hugely thankful how manufacturing has blossomed in the Lehigh Valley."Tony Iannelli, president and CEO, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Sponsored by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Resource Center of Allentown, the forum attracted representatives of 14 manufacturing-centric companies that set up informational tables in the ballroom.
Experts in the manufacturing fields addressed the attendees on topics including economic outlook, trends, cybersecurity, online reputation, energy efficiency, tax and technology and labor market data.
'We are in a very good spot here'
The 2 ½-hour forum serves as a premier event for manufacturing professionals, suppliers, service providers and stakeholders to discuss the evolving landscape, challenges and opportunities within the region’s thriving manufacturing sector.
“I’m hugely thankful how manufacturing has blossomed in the Lehigh Valley,” chamber President Tony Iannelli said. “I cannot believe how well we’ve done here.
"We are in a very good spot here."Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce President Tony Iannelli
“Why? Well, I think we have a good workforce and a good work ethic. And we have good industrial park land and so on. We also have great proximity to major hubs. About 1.7 million people live within an hour of the Lehigh Valley.
“We are in a very good spot here.”
Lehigh Valley’s manufacturing industry is booming. The backbone of the region’s economy, it accounts for $8.1 billion of the $50.2 billion GDP, making the region the 68th largest economy in the United States.
Of the Lehigh Valley’s total economic output, 16% is in manufacturing — 4% higher than the U.S. private output.
The Lehigh Valley has a net gain of 7,000 manufacturing jobs over the past 10 years.
“The reason we have such manufacturing is we can move products to market quickly,” said Don Cunningham, president of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.
“That’s one reason manufacturers are here.”
'Latest and greatest about what's going on'
Cunningham imparted positive news about manufacturing in the Lehigh Valley: 700-plus manufacturers; 37,000 jobs; increased wages; average annual wages of $78,289; skilled workforce, existing education pipeline; and a manufacturing heritage.
“A lot of companies want to be here. We need to find a home for them.”Don Cunningham, president of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.
Cunningham said a desperate need the Lehigh Valley has in the manufacturing sector is structural.
“Right now, we have a tremendous shortage of buildings under 100,000 square feet,” he said. “A lot of companies want to be here. We need to find a home for them.”
Richard C. Hobbs is president of Manufacturers Resource Center, of Allentown. MRC is a nonprofit that assists manufacturers in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill counties in coaching, training and consulting.
“A forum like this is to learn more about manufacturing,” Hobbs said. “To kind of hear some of the speakers’ presentations and get the latest and greatest about what’s going on.”
'Great future they can have'
In August 2022, President Biden signed the historic and bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act into law, investing nearly $53 billion in funding to bring semiconductor supply chains back to the United States, create jobs, support American innovation and protect national security.
To date, the U.S. Commerce Department has announced more than $30 billion in proposed CHIPS private sector investments spanning 23 projects in 15 states.
“With CHIPS Act funding, Pennsylvania could realize over $1 billion in public and private sector in manufacturing."Jen Gilburg of the state department of community and economic development
Jen Gilburg of the state department of community and economic development said reshoring of manufacturing is a national priority.
“With CHIPS Act funding, Pennsylvania could realize over $1 billion in public and private sector in manufacturing,” she said.
Said Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley: “We’re so lucky in the Lehigh Valley to be home to such diverse industries.
“When I’m back home from Washington, we schedule site visits at different manufacturing plants. And we talk about manufacturing to students about the great future they can have.”
At the forum, Crayola was honored as the Lehigh Valley Manufacturer of the Year.
