LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. – Medicine maker Eli Lilly announced on Friday an investment of $3.5 billion for a planned manufacturing campus in Lehigh County. It continues to make impressions, especially with non-profits and local businesses.
“There are 55 companies that we actively pursue for sponsorship and support,” said Karen Smith while looking at the long list.
The CEO of the volunteer center has her sights set on number 56.
“I just want to say how honored we are to be a part of your community, to join your community, I promise we’ll be a good neighbor,” said Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks during Friday’s announcement inside Allentown’s DaVinci Science Center.
Ricks highlighted the multinational company’s local philanthropic mission. Billions are giving away each year, and billions are donated yearly.
For Smith, who’s non-profit supports 400 others in the Lehigh Valley, says corporate handouts sustain the growing community.
“It could be a funding mechanism for the volunteer center, but it can also be a huge number of people going out in the community and supporting the nonprofits that the need is, is always growing and always changing,” she said.
For Hops Fogelsville Owner Scott Hoppy, opportunity arrives at a job site, feet from his business front door.
“I think it’s fantastic. I think it’ll be great for our town of Fogelsville,” he said.
2,000 temporary construction jobs will build Lilly’s Upper Macungie Township manufacturing facility with 850 permanent 6 figure salary jobs to follow.
While loss of open space and increased traffic can be consequences of progress.
The company says for every dollar it spends, a $4 spillover is circulated throughout the community.
An investment, for now measured in expectations, with the real impact yet to be felt.
“Anytime there’s change, there’s going to be some growing pains as well, but I’m confident that we have a strong enough community and we’ll be able to figure it all out,” Hoppy said.