jill biden visit lehigh valley

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

FACT SHEET: President   Biden Highlights Allentown, Lehigh Valley, and Pennsylvania’s Economic   Comeback

New data shows Biden-Harris Administration has three strongest years on record for new business applications, as Bidenomics and the President’s Investing in America agenda support good jobs and spur investments in Allentown

Investing in Pennsylvania President Biden is keeping his promise to leave no community behind. The Biden-Harris Administration has announced $14.2 billion in public infrastructure and clean energy investments in Pennsylvania and spurred $3 billion in private sector investments in related sectors. Through his American Rescue Plan, President Biden provided emergency relief funding to 3,500 restaurants and bars and 6,850 child care programs in Pennsylvania to help keep their doors open during the pandemic, plus an additional $268 million through the State Small Business Credit Initiative to help them access capital. Last year, the Small Business Administration set records in loans delivered to small businesses, including nearly $910 million to small businesses in Pennsylvania, including significant increases in support to underserved and minority-owned businesses. And across the federal government, $2.8 billion in federal contracting opportunities went to Pennsylvania small businesses. In the Allentown area alone:

• The Department of Transportation awarded $5 million to the Lehigh Valley International Airport for needed renovations.
• The Department of Transportation awarded $22.5 million to fix the Cementon Bridge and $2.8 million to fix the Indian Trail Road Bridge.
• The Department of Energy awarded $3.75 million to the Mid-Atlantic Center of Excellence at Lehigh University, which will expand the center’s engagement with unions, trade schools, and community colleges, and develop new ways to build workforce pipelines to jobs at small manufacturers in the region.
• The American Rescue Plan enabled Allentown to invest over $2.3 million in a new fire training facility and emergency operations center.
• The Environmental Protection Agency awarded $1 million to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission to help create a climate action plan focused on industrial decarbonization.
• The Department of Transportation awarded $200,000 to the Lehigh Carbon Community College for scholarships for former and current military service members and families to pursue training to become commercial truck drivers.
• The National Science Foundation awarded a $1 million Engines Development Award to Vytal Plant Science Research, which is partnering with the Northeast Ben Franklin Technology Partners to create an industrial bio-products hub in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
• Over 17,000 households in Lehigh County now have access to affordable internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program and are saving up to $30/month.
• The Department of Commerce designated Allentown a “Recompete area,” making it eligible to compete for an award of up to $50 million to support small manufacturers and workers in the region.

President Biden is keeping his promise and helping the hard-working people of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and communities across the country mount the economic comeback they deserve.

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Jill Biden visits Allentown: Live updates

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Amy Shortell / The Morning Call

Pennsylvania Congresswoman Susan Wild and Governor Tom Wolf greet first lady Jill Biden as she arrives Wednesday at Lehigh Valley International Airport for a visit to Allentown

Rick Kintzel/Morning Call

Brenda Fernandez, left, founder of the nonprofit SELF!, receives encouragement Wednesday from first lady Jill Biden after Fernandez talks about troubles she went through. Biden was visiting The Learning Hub in Allentown to listen to the personal stories, challenges and concerns of local Latino residents.

First lady Jill Biden arrives Wednesday at Lehigh Valley International Airport for a visit to Allentown. Here she is greeted by Congresswoman Susan Wild.

First lady Jill Biden says hello to a group of children during a visit at The Learning Hub on Wednesday in Allentown. Biden listened to the personal stories, challenges and concerns of local residents while in the city.

A child waves to first lady Jill Biden as she tours a classroom during a visit Wednesday to The Learning Hub in Allentown. Biden listened to the personal stories, challenges and concerns of local Latino residents while in the city.

First lady Jill Biden arrives Wednesday at Lehigh Valley International Airport for a visit to Allentown.

First lady Jill Biden arrives Wednesday at Lehigh Valley International Airport for a visit to Allentown. Here she is greeted by Governor Tom Wolf.

Tom Shortell/The Morning Call

First lady Jill Biden at The Learning Hub in Allentown on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021.

Children perform for Tom Wolf Gov. for PA, State Rep. Susan Wild, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and first lady Jill Biden children during a visit at The Learning Hub on Wednesday in Allentown. Biden listened to the personal stories, challenges and concerns of local residents while in the city.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and first lady Jill Biden watch as children perform during a visit at The Learning Hub on Wednesday in Allentown. Biden listened to the personal stories, challenges and concerns of local residents while in the city.

First lady Jill Biden talks to area residents during a visit at The Learning Hub on Wednesday in Allentown. Biden listened to the personal stories, challenges and concerns of local residents while in the city.

A supporter of President Joe and first lady Jill Biden wears a sign saying, "Love Jill and Joe too!" as she stands along North Sixth Street on Wednesday before first lady Jill Biden arrives at The Learning Hub in Allentown. Biden listened to the personal stories, challenges and concerns of local residents while in the city.

First lady Jill Biden talks to area residents Wednesday during a visit at The Learning Hub in Allentown. The White House promoted Biden's visit as a charla, Spanish for chat, with members of the Latino community.

First Lady Jill Biden waves Wednesday as she emerges from her plane at Lehigh Valley International Airport for a visit to Allentown.

First lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra talk to area residents during a visit at The Learning Hub on Wednesday in Allentown. Biden listened to the personal stories, challenges and concerns of local residents while in the city.

Rep. Susan Wild and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf listen to stories from local residents during a visit from first lady Jill Biden at The Learning Hub on Wednesday in Allentown. Biden listened to the personal stories, challenges and concerns of local residents while in the city.

First Lady Jill Biden arrives Wednesday at Lehigh Valley International Airport for a visit to Allentown.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf greets first Lady Jill Biden as she arrives Wednesday at Lehigh Valley International Airport for a visit to Allentown.

Pennsylvania Congresswoman Susan Wild greets first lady Jill Biden as she arrives Wednesday at Lehigh Valley International Airport for a visit to Allentown

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and first lady Jill Biden congratulate students after completing an assignment Wednesday during a visit at The Learning Hub in Allentown. Biden listened to the personal stories, challenges and concerns of local Latino residents while in the city.

Pennsylvania Congresswoman Susan Wild greets first lady Jill Biden as she arrives Wednesday at Lehigh Valley International Airport for a visit to Allentown.

Governor Tom Wolf and Congresswoman Susan Wild wait to greet the first lady. First lady Jill Biden arrives Wednesday at Lehigh Valley International Airport for a visit to Allentown.

Four people stand and wait for first lady Jill Biden to arrive at The Learning Hub in Allentown. Biden listened to the personal stories, challenges and concerns of local residents while in the city.

Protestors stand along North Sixth Street while waiting for first lady Jill Biden to leave after a tour of Biden at The Learning Hub on Wednesday in Allentown. Biden listened to the personal stories, challenges and concerns of local residents while in the city.

First lady Jill Biden is visiting the Lehigh Valley on Wednesday , part of a swing through several states focused on the Hispanic community.

Biden arrived at Lehigh Valley International Airport around 1:45 p.m. and is visiting The Learning Hub in Allentown. There she is hosting a “charla” (Spanish for chat). She is being joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

You can follow updates on the first lady’s visit below:

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