The Lehigh Valley is once again the top mid-sized market for economic development, according to Site Selection magazine.
The rankings are considered the benchmark assessment of economic development and growth by the corporate real estate, site selection and economic development profession, according to Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.
Lehigh Valley has ranked in the top 10 of mid-sized markets, defined as regions with a population of 200,000 to 1 million, for the last decade. In 2024, the Lehigh Valley was third. It was first in 2023.
“The Lehigh Valley is no stranger to being in the top tier of economic development in the U.S. but now we can shout, ‘we’re number one’ in the prestigious Governor’s Cup Awards,” LVEDC President and CEO Don Cunningham said. “While the ranking is great for having the Lehigh Valley recognized across the country, what matters are the jobs and economic opportunity being created for our residents here.”
The Lehigh Valley’s Gross Domestic Product was more than $57 billion in 2024, the most recent year for which data is available. Its GDP grew by 2.3% from the previous year.
Site Selection recognized 49 Lehigh Valley projects in 2025 for the ranking, the LVEDC said. The magazine compiles and compares projects either completed or announced of at least 20,000 square feet, an investment of at least $1 million or the creation of at least 20 jobs.
Some of the notable projects included B. Braun announced a $20 million manufacturing expansion with 200 new jobs; Filter King opening an HVAC manufacturing operation with 120 jobs; Kervan USA breaking ground on a 90,000-square-foot manufacturing/packing hub; Kerry Group opening a coffee roasting plant, creating 61 jobs; Bosch Rexroth breaking ground on a $20 million logistics hub; Honeywell opening an office for its new liquefied natural gas division with 100 jobs; and Fuller Technologies opening a 122,000-square-foot factory for the cement industry.