State Representative Tarah Toohil, PPL Regional Affairs Director Alana Roberts and Pennsylvania CareerLink Luzerne County Administrator Christine Jensen were the featured speakers at the Humboldt Park Association meeting held Tuesday at McCann School of Business and Technology.

Toohil updated the audience on the latest news out of Harrisburg including where the legislature stands in its efforts to get a new state budget signed. She shared her thoughts on the effects the budget impasse is having on human services organizations and other entities that rely heavily on state funding for their operations.

Toohil also discussed her office joining Partners in Education and the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce to sponsor the third annual Jobs for You expo which will be held Friday, Oct. 23 at the Hazleton Area High School. She said more than 30 employers in Greater Hazleton will be on hand from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to give students information and advice about pursuing careers in Greater Hazleton.

Roberts provided information on the various rebates PPL Electric Utilities is offering now to help businesses reduce costs by making energy efficient improvements. The program includes rebates for retrofit lighting, new construction, appliances, heating and ventilation, refrigeration and equipment for the agricultural industry.

Jensen’s presentation paid special attention to the numerous grants the Pennsylvania CareerLink can assist businesses in obtaining as well as the On-the-Job Training program that reimburses companies that agree to hire employees and train them on the job. The grants provide reimbursement for businesses in the manufacturing, energy, health care, logistics and transportation industries that offer training programs for employees.

CAN DO President and CEO Kevin O’Donnell stressed the benefits the Humboldt Park Association’s regular meetings provide for companies in the park and encouraged others to attend the next meeting on Jan. 7, 2016.

“The Humboldt Park Association meetings are a wonderful opportunity for employees from throughout the park to come together and meet, share ideas and common concerns with one another and get valuable information on a variety of topics from our knowledgeable speakers,” O’Donnell said. “It also gives CAN DO staff the opportunity to meet with company representatives, hear about the positive things happening at their facilities and address any questions or issues they may have about the park. We’ve gotten many comments on how beneficial the meetings are and I encourage those industries who have not yet attended a meeting to join us in January.”