The Lehigh Valley just beat every other mid-sized market in America for economic growth
The Lehigh Valley has claimed the top spot among mid-sized markets in Site Selection Magazine’s annual economic development rankings, marking a significant achievement for the Pennsylvania region that has consistently placed in the top 10 for the past decade.
The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. announced the honor in a news release on Friday. It comes on the heels of Eli Lilly revealing in February that it would build a $3.5 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing facility outside of Allentown in what’s been called the largest life science project in Pennsylvania history.
The magazine’s Governor’s Cup Awards, considered the benchmark assessment by corporate real estate and economic development professionals, evaluated 350 metropolitan areas and 50 states across the country. Mid-sized markets are defined as regions with populations between 200,000 and 1 million. The Lehigh Valley ranked third in 2024.
“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,” Don Cunningham, president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp, said in a statement. “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.”
Site Selection recognized 49 Lehigh Valley projects in 2025 for the ranking. The magazine evaluates projects that meet at least one of three criteria: 20,000 square feet or more, an investment of at least $1 million, or the creation of at least 20 new jobs.
The region’s Gross Domestic Product now exceeds $57 billion, reflecting a balanced economy led by manufacturing and supported by growth across multiple industries. Investment came from companies ranging from global brands to family-owned operations in life sciences, food and beverage, and advanced manufacturing.
Source: LehighValleylive.com