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The past several weeks have reminded me again and again of what I love about the Lehigh Valley. I get there's always work to do to make this a better place. But, when you're talking about improving an entire region, there's never a time when you're done, when you can say you are even close to being finished. However, I can honestly say we're making progress on a lot of fronts. Let's start with the economic development front. Companies are locating to — or staying in — the Lehigh Valley and that's a good thing. Most are bringing good-paying jobs and are looking forward to growing. Our unemployment rate is at a meager 4.8 percent and that's a point away from what is considered full employment. That reminds me: If you're a parent and/or guiding anyone's future please, please consider the skills that companies are looking for in this new century. Manufacturing is making a huge comeback in the Lehigh Valley, with jobs ready and waiting. Take the time to research what skills these growing companies are looking for in an employee. I can tell you, it ain't a Political Science degree. Why the Lehigh Valley? One important aspect of our success that is very important to all of us is beyond the economics. It's called "quality of life," and it is hugely important to any prosperous region. But, it is not something to which we can easily hold in our grasp. It's very hard to hang onto. It means your region is affordable, particularly when it comes to a good inventory of affordable housing. It means it's a safe place to live from the inner city to the suburbs. It means you can ride a bike, walk a beautiful park and meet friends at great restaurants. Whether your preference is fine dining or maybe a sports bar with fantastic burgers, the Valley is certainly home to restaurants that serve a variety of multicultural tastes from around the globe. It means you no longer have to drive to Philadelphia or New York for quality health care or to find a doctor who administers your procedure in the best way it can be done. Our top-notch hospitals are continuously improving. It means you have a selection of highly qualified legal professionals to provide you expertise in areas that may be very specialized and not found in smaller regions across the country. It means you have exceptional four-year colleges and universities as well as comparable community colleges to educate students all across the economic/affordability spectrum. OK, I've stated my argument. My point is this: You can find a nice, affordable home here. You can get great health services here from first-class hospitals. You can find tons of great restaurants all across the Valley. You can see almost any act you've dreamed of seeing at locations like the Sands Event Center and the State Theatre. Go watch quality minor league hockey on a winter night in a first class, gorgeous PPL Center. This summer you can take in a beautiful night of AAA baseball at the impressive Coca-Cola Park. Our quality of life quotient has grown at a faster rate than I ever envisioned it would. The goal is to hang on to it while growing at a steady pace. It's a tough balance and I hope we achieve it. The thing I most yearn to maintain is a community culture where people and companies give back. Maintain a culture where business is done with the legal documentation necessary in today's world, but could almost be accomplished with a handshake, given our culture. This is a place where people take the time to know people and inherently trust them. They can trust them because they know we're all in this together. The best asset a community can assert is its people. Yes, we have issues and we need to relentlessly pursue solutions. I could name 10 of them, and will in future columns, but I as much as anybody know the people who make up this community. My money is on an even better future for our Lehigh Valley ... because my money is on them! Tony Iannelli is president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at tonyi@lehighvalleychamber.org. Read the original article here.