ARTICLE
"Buy Lehigh Valley" has a really nice ring to it, doesn't it? This is a great region with a bright future. So why not come together with the tremendous purchase power of a million people to ensure we become all we can be? I love seeing people consciously making an effort to spend their hard earned dollars at Lehigh Valley businesses. These are companies that are going to hire your neighbor, your brother, your aunt and anyone else you care about. There are so many local companies that not only work so hard every day to do great things in business, but are also are totally committed to their employees AND their community. It's heartwarming to see so many efforts that go on locally to support people in need. It amazes me how many of these local companies give so much of their time and money to support many many causes, including the United Way, Toys for Tots, Children's Home of Easton, The Salvation Army and The Rescue Mission. Other companies even find families in need and make their Christmas gift list come true. If I listed how many really good causes need and get business support, it would take the entire column. My point is that these growing, innovative and tenacious companies and their employees not only contribute so much to our economy, but just as importantly, to our quality of life. Here's one that really bites me right in my "Buy Lehigh Valley" behind. I was recently asked by the hard-working, community-minded, middle class heroes of the Lehigh Valley Building Trades to meet and discuss what they can do to make this place we call home even better. You know, as in "We've prospered here and we want to give back." I learned there are a lot of new construction, additions, upgrades, and expansions that are being done in the Valley by outside firms. We have some seriously strong local contracting/construction firms who have been hiring our neighbors and basically constructing our rapid growth. OK, I get that it's a free country and money is tight and maybe they get outbid by other contractors on occasion but, in many cases, these companies are riding into town, pulling some real money out of the Valley, never to be seen again. If you don't think that affects our job growth, our economy, and our quality of life, think again! I'm all for competition. Capitalism is built upon it, but when it's fair. However, in many cases it's not a level playing field. The Lehigh Valley trades group invests time and money to apprentice their workers. They train incoming future laborers to be the best professionals in their field. And once they're on the job, they're expected to pay taxes and give back. And they do. Would you believe that last year alone Lehigh Valley Trades gave back over $1 million in real dollars and/or dedicated man hours? And they've built and invested in real estate for headquarters and training facilities. Then they watch as companies ride into town, hire "independent contractors" to do their work and move on. I put "independent contractors" in quotations because, in some cases, I'm told they're actually employees who are not paying payroll taxes like you and me. They're pretend "independent contractors" being paid as if they had their own business but, I'm hearing, they don't and that's not fair to our local contractors large and small who play by the rules. The project may at times be done for reduced cost but, the quality can be questionable and once everyone is paid and the job is done, they're off to a new place never to be seen or in anyway invested in the Valley again. So, hire Lehigh Valley is closely akin to "Buy Lehigh Valley." This is a great region and it will grow and succeed with tenacious, forward-thinking entrepreneurs. You couple that with a upwardly mobile middle class compensated at a level that enables them to buy houses, cars, dine out and otherwise keep fueling this growing regional economy and you have a bright future. So, when you can, "Buy Lehigh Valley" for your family and your neighbors sake. This is our Valley and we're all in this together! Tony Iannelli is president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. His column appears weekly on the Business Cycle. He can be reached at tonyi@lehighvalleychamber.org. Read the original article here.