BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Fresh off the heels of his budget address, Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver the keynote speech at the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.'s annual meeting next week.
Shapiro's address to the region's business leaders will be one of his first stops in the Lehigh Valley since taking the oath of office in January.
But Don Cunningham, the corporation's president and CEO, said the former state representative and attorney general is no stranger to what the Lehigh Valley has to offer.
“We are honored to have Gov. Shapiro address the Lehigh Valley’s economic development coalition so early in his tenure,” Cunningham said. “Throughout his career, the governor has been a regular visitor to the Lehigh Valley. He understands our economy and the region’s strength in the commonwealth.”
It is the first time a sitting governor will attend the LVEDC event.
Shapiro has already announced some new economic development initiatives in his tenure. Shortly after he took office he created the Office of Transformation and Opportunity, which is intended to serve as a one-stop-shop for businesses looking to grow, particularly in underserved communities.
In his budget address, Shapiro also proposed boosting funding to the state's Manufacturing Innovation Program, which provides college students looking to start their own small businesses by providing grants for research, research-related expenses, project-related travel costs and administrative costs.
U.S Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley and the mayors of the Lehigh Valley's three cities are also expected to address attendees over the 90-minute event.
