Assets

• Educational Institutions/Access to Talent (Lehigh, NCC, Moravian, ESU, BASD, LVCA, Moravian Academy, Bethlehem Vo-Tech.)
• Incentives (CRIZ, KIZ, EZ, LERTA, TIF, FTZ, BSBLF)
• Infrastructure/Access to Markets (LVIA, multimodal, proximity to markets, water, etc.)
• Quality of Life – Leisure, Entertainment, and Culture (Parks, South Bethlehem Greenway, ArtsQuest, Historical sites, Arts District, SteelStacks, Festivals, etc.)
• Vibrant Downtowns (Shopping, restaurants, brewpubs, distilleries)

Opportunities

• LVIP I
• LVIP VII
• Majestic Realty
• Sands Bethworks
• Urban Core
  • Northside – Historic District
  • Southside – Arts District
  • Westside
• Entrepreneurs/Start-ups (HatchHouse, Ben Franklin TechVentures, Pi Center, Victory Firehouse, SoBeCoWorks)

Community Snapshot

• Population: 75,707 (2017 U.S. Census Bureau 5-year estimate)
• 31% of population between the ages of 18 and 34
• Median household income: $51,880 (in 2017 dollars, U.S. Census Bureau)
• Median age: 35.1
• Labor force: 36,991
• 5,155 businesses (2012 Economic Census)
• Largest employing industry is Health Care and Social Assistance (17% of labor force)
• 9,500 residents enrolled in college

The story of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, could very well be one of the greatest success stories of any American city. After the closing of Bethlehem Steel, some feared economic decline and urban decay was inevitable. But to the contrary, Bethlehem has experienced an economic renaissance, with development initiatives leading to the rise of two vibrant downtown neighborhoods, and old steel lands getting converted into prosperous clusters of manufacturers, e-commerce providers, entertainment, public parks, and mixed-use redevelopment. Today, Bethlehem is the safest city of its size in Pennsylvania, and its strong quality-of-life assets have made millennials the city’s fastest-growing demographic. A wide array of incentive programs and geographic zones are available to assist with all types of development, from industrial and office, to restaurants, retail, and startups. The city also boasts a strong existing infrastructure, access to markets, an excellent workforce, and superior educational institutions like Lehigh University and Moravian College. Come to Bethlehem, and become a part of this great American success story.

Contact us for additional information and opportunities in Bethlehem.

Lehigh Valley Economic
Development Corporation

610-266-6775
lehighvalley.org

The mission of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation is to market the economic assets of the Lehigh Valley and to serve as a regional shared services and resource center to help businesses to come, grow, and start here.