It will be the 50th anniversary of the founding of Lehigh Valley Industrial Park Inc.

LVIP’s successes have defined this region, including its economy, its residents’ working lives, even the look of broad areas across Lehigh and Northampton counties.

People are duly observing the date with banquets, awards and other festivities. But they ought to know about a few facts in order to appreciate the importance of what was begun 50 years ago.

LVIP now comprises seven planned parks. They are home to 460 companies. Those companies provide 22,000 jobs. LVIP has borrowed more than $436 million in private investment over the years. It has paid tens of millions of property and payroll taxes.

We can imagine what will happen to this area if there aren’t those jobs. Obviously, we ought to appreciate the genius of LVIP’s founders. Fifty years ago, Bethlehem Steel Corp. and other integrated steelmakers were hit by the fifth nationwide strike in 15 years. Those cycles of strikes affected every part of the local economy.

Contractor Frank L. Marcon told fellow board members at the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce that a more diverse economy could be fostered if public and private leaders acted together. In those days, there were no state or federal economic development programs. So, 18 individuals pooled $250,000 of their own money and LVIP sold bonds to raise $400,000 more to buy four farms along Airport Road. The City of Bethlehem contributed planning work, amended its zoning code and worked out an affordable way to add streets, curbs and sewers. Companies like Bethlehem Steel made major contributions, creating a new model for cooperation.

Another important decision was made that year. It made “Lehigh Valley” part of the name of the new endeavor. The late Walter Dealtrey, a former LVIP board president, used to tell people that back then, decades before “regionalization” became part of the public vocabulary. Those leaders knew their vision had to carry the stamp of big ideas. That first 226 acre tract could have been called “Bethlehem Industrial Park,” because that’s where it was.

1. Lehigh Valley Industrial Park is fifty years old now. {T; F}

2. Lehigh Valley Industrial Park plays a very important role in the local people’s lives. {T; F}

3. People don’t really know the history of Lehigh Valley Industrial Park. {T; F}

4. Steelmakers created Lehigh Valley Industrial Park. {T; F}

5. Only private leaders acted together to foster a more diverse economy. {T; F}