CAN DO, Inc., Greater Hazleton’s economic development organization, marked another successful year during its 61st Annual Dinner held Tuesday at the Genetti Ballrooms at Premier Catering & Events.
The dinner was centered around the success that CAN DO has seen over the past several years with its strategic plan. Chairman of the board, Dr. John Madden reflected on how CAN DO has succeeded in accomplishing many components of the plan through initiatives such as bringing stable and well-paying employment to the region by pursuing firms in the food processing industry, developing the CAN DO Corporate Center in Drums, fostering entrepreneurship through the CAN BE Business Innovation Center in the Valmont Industrial Park and partnering on many of the downtown Hazleton revitalization efforts.
CAN DO, the economic development organization serving Greater Hazleton and beyond, announced that its Student Action Committee for the 2016-2017 school year has initiated the planning process for its two signature events, Operation: CAN DO and CAN DO Community Christmas.
Coordinated Health, a privately held, physician-owned acute care hospital network in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey, with a current location at Church Hill Mall, broke ground today on a 42,000 square-foot state-of-the-art medical campus and ambulatory surgical center in Humboldt Station at the intersection of Route 924 and Interstate 81. Humboldt Station is located in Hazle Township, adjacent to Humboldt Industrial Park.
Coordinated Health officials were joined by representatives from CAN DO along with state and local leaders at the groundbreaking, including PA Senator John Yudichak, Rep. Tarah Toohil and Rep. Gerald Mullery. Local officials who spoke at the event included Jim Montone, chairman of the Hazle Township Board of Supervisors; Mary Malone, president of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce; and Brian Poveromo, president of the Humboldt Park Association.
The six-acre Coordinated Health campus is the company’s 17th location and is projected to open in Spring 2017. It will offer orthopedics, sports medicine, joint replacements, spine care, foot and ankle care, hand and wrist care, cardiology, women’s health, specialty care, advanced imaging and rehab. Additionally, the medical campus will feature a primary care and employer clinic for occupational health, workers’ compensation and on-site/near-site care.
The Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, MSA topped a recent national study of the top food processing locations in the Northeastern United States and ranked 10th overall in the country. Site selection firm Boyd Co. Inc., based in Princeton, New Jersey, examined 24 of the top food processing regions in the country as part of the comprehensive study.
Northeastern Pennsylvania consistently ranks at the top of the list for prime food processing locations because it combines several key attributes that each play a role in driving industry success. The Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton region has low operating costs including payroll, utilities, debt repayment and taxes that help lower a company’s annual cost to do business.
In addition to financial benefits, Northeast PA’s skilled and available labor force, and easy access to transportation routes leading to major East Coast cities, make it an attractive location for food processing companies.
Tenants who have beautified and maintained their properties in CAN DO’s industrial parks will be honored at the economic development agency’s upcoming Curb Appeal Awards mixer.
The program, in its ninth year, presents awards to companies in Humboldt, Humboldt North, Humboldt West, McAdoo and Valmont industrial parks, as well as Humboldt Station and the CAN DO Corporate Center during an industry mixer held in September at Residence Inn by Marriott in Humboldt Station.
CAN DO, Inc., the economic development organization serving Greater Hazleton and beyond, announced that Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) products and loans are available at record-low interest rates for the 2016 third quarter.
Interest rates for several products dropped a quarter of a percent since the second quarter, including those for fixed interest rate full-term loans for up to a 15-year period.
PIDA loan applications must be packaged, underwritten and submitted by a Certified Economic Development Organization such as CAN DO, which is authorized to assist with applications in Greater Hazleton and throughout Luzerne County.
CAN DO, Inc. honored outgoing members of its Student Action Committee during its 60th annual dinner earlier this month.
The Student Action Committee consists of juniors and seniors from high schools throughout Greater Hazleton who are appointed as student members of the CAN DO Board of Directors and plan and execute the “Operation: CAN DO” and CAN DO Community Christmas service projects as well as attend board meetings.
The Student Action Committee was formed many years ago to encourage involvement in community advancement and to reach out to those who may someday become future leaders in our area. Nancy Stasko, CAN DO Director of Administration, and Charles Burkhardt, CAN DO Board of Directors member, are the Student Action Committee co-advisers.
Stasko gave a speech during the dinner detailing the Student Action Committee’s efforts over the past fiscal year and presented certificates of participation to the outgoing senior committee members.
CAN DO, Inc. honored board member Elaine Judd with its 2016 Chairman’s Award during CAN DO’s 60th annual dinner on June 7.
CAN DO Board of Directors Chairman Dr. John Madden presented the award, which recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions to the organization, to Judd for her commitment to CAN DO. Judd currently serves as Chair of the CAN DO Community Relations Committee, serves as a member of the Executive Committee and is involved in other aspects of the organization as well.
CAN DO, Inc. honored Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeast Pennsylvania as its Partner of the Year during CAN DO’s 60th annual dinner June 7.
CAN DO President and CEO Kevin O’Donnell presented the award to Ken Okrepkie, Northeast PA Regional Director for Ben Franklin Technology Partners, in appreciation of Ben Franklin’s long relationship with CAN DO and its continued support of the organization’s economic development efforts.
Local high school students serving on the CAN DO board are helping to make the holidays brighter for military personnel with ties to Greater Hazleton.
The CAN DO Student Action Committee is seeking names of servicemen and servicewomen with local ties to send them care packages as part of the 11th annual “Operation: CAN DO,” a collection drive of food, personal care and entertainment items for members of the military.