Allentown / Pennsylvania / United States
The mission of Allentown Economic Development Corporation ( AEDC ) is to identify, encourage, develop and manage business projects for the benefit of Allentown, its citizens and the Lehigh Valley. Incorporating the adaptive reuse and recycling of existing buildings and infrastructure is an important goal of AEDCs urban development strategy. Formed in 1979 as a 501 ( c ) corporation AEDC is controlled by a volunteer board of directors comprised of business and community leaders. AEDC is a non-profit economic development organization in the Lehigh Valley. AEDC works closely with the City of Allentowns Department of Economic Development and partners with many organizations to support development initiatives by removing blighted properties, stabilizing neighborhoods and attracting new job opportunities by expanding commercial enterprise within the community. Over the years AEDC has worked closely with the City of Allentown and Lehigh County on many projects. These have included the America On Wheels Museum on Lehigh Landing, the redevelopment of a brownfield site into a newly constructed industrial building, Bridgeworks by the Creek Industrial Center, and the assemblage of real estate to facilitate the development of class A office buildings such as PPL Plaza and the Butz Building. Many of AEDCs projects capitalize on the benefits of Pennsylvania Enterprise Zone ( EZ ) and the Keystone Opportunity Zone ( KOZ ) Programs. These programs offer specific benefits and powerful incentives. AEDC also runs the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center, an industrial center and a small business incubator facility located in the former Mack Truck manufacturing site. AEDC is dedicated to the development and execution of comprehensive community-based plans for improving Allentown.
