Lehigh Valley: the Return of Manufacturing

Challenge

After the decline of the U.S. steel industry in the 1980s, the Lehigh Valley – home to Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, PA – needed to reinvent itself. Thanks to the advanced manufacturing, semiconductor and life science companies that have since established operations there, the Lehigh Valley is at the center of what’s being called the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDV) tasked Violet PR with building a narrative around the revival of industry and manufacturing in the Lehigh Valley, the stability of its economy and its skilled workforce.

Solution

The Violet PR team began with research to understand what sets the Lehigh Valley apart. We found that Lehigh Valley’s $8.1B manufacturing sector is growing faster than the rest of Pennsylvania and the nation, and accounts for 16 percent of its $50.2 billion GDP. In contrast, manufacturing makes up 12 percent of the U.S. economy.

In terms of employment, Lehigh Valley’s manufacturing sector relies on 35,000 skilled individuals, fueling 30% of the Lehigh Valley’s job growth over the past five years – thanks to three career and technical schools that are tightly aligned to employers’ needs. 

With this data and a keen understanding of the market, the VPR team crafted messaging showcasing Lehigh Valley as a 21st century manufacturing powerhouse that’s backed by a growing workforce of young talent or the “toolbelt generation.”  

Through a series of media pitches and press releases, Violet PR secured numerous stories positioning the Lehigh Valley as a revitalized manufacturing hub. ChiefExecutive named the Pennsylvania one of the best states for business in 2023, with the Lehigh Valley recognized as a standout region. The team secured features in outlets like Forbes, Semiconductor Engineering, Quality Magazine, Advanced Manufacturing and DC Velocity.

Coverage Highlights