Portions of the Humboldt Industrial Park and Valmont Industrial Park received Federal Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) designation from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Investments made by individuals through special funds in these zones would be allowed to defer or eliminate federal taxes on capital gains.
CAN DO’s partnership with the Governor’s Action Team assisted Highwood USA in obtaining financial incentives for the company’s expansion into Hazleton. Highwood USA has purchased the 146,000 square-foot building at 64 N Conahan Drive in Hazleton to house its fabrication and supply-chain units.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said, “This expansion represents more than just the creation of 58 family-sustaining jobs in Hazleton. It also signals the growth and evolution of manufacturing in the commonwealth. Since day one, my administration has been focused on building our manufacturing sector, and Highwood’s expansion shows that Pennsylvania manufacturing is strong – and only growing stronger.”
Tosca, a provider of reusable packaging and supply chain solutions, is one of many companies making Hazleton a “hub” for their business. The company recently expanded the size of its facility in the Humboldt Industrial Park in order to support significant growth and to increase the facilities’ capabilities.
Tosca, which moved into the Humboldt Industrial Park in 2002, previously operated in a 25,000-square-foot service center. Now after an expansion to a 50,000-square-foot facility, doubling the site’s size and capabilities, Tosca plans on building the business further and leveraging the business infrastructure in Hazleton to get it done.
“The service center expansion not only adds more square footage for the business but enables the company to operate more efficiently,” Mike Wasson, Vice President of Supply Chain and Operations for Tosca, said. “The organization took the time during the expansion to reconfigure the floorplan layout for optimum performance, re-tool machines for faster turnaround time, add new dryers, and implement new automation capabilities. The company also continues to add new jobs in both management and maintenance at the Hazleton location.”