CAN DO, Inc., received awards in three categories during the 2025 Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) fall conference, a testament to the organization’s ongoing impact on the region’s economic development efforts.
Awards were presented during the conference’s luncheon, held on October 23rd at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center, where economic development professionals from across the Commonwealth gathered to celebrate innovation, collaboration, and progress throughout Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Economic Development Association’s annual awards celebrate exceptional achievements in economic development and highlight best practices throughout the state. The three awards CAN DO won this year strengthen the depth and impact of its work, including workforce development, youth leadership, strategic branding, and industrial expansion.
“CAN DO is appreciative to be recognized for its efforts to engage the next generation and assist industries grow and evolve,” CAN DO’s President & CEO, Joseph Lettiere, added, “These awards reflect the incredible work our team does every day and the meaningful partnerships we rely on throughout Greater Hazleton to fulfill our mission.”
Project of the Year: EAM-Mosca Expansion
The Economic Development Project of the Year award recognized CAN DO’s submission of an expansion project led by legacy manufacturer EAM-Mosca Corporation, which is headquartered in CAN DO’s Valmont Industrial Park.
Completed in under one year, the company’s $20.6 million expansion transformed its U.S. headquarters into a two-building, 283,000-square-foot campus, creating 50 high-quality jobs and retaining 157 skilled positions. Additionally, the expansion established a Machinery Center of Excellence and a state-of-the-art customer showroom, reinforcing EAM-Mosca’s global competitiveness and long-standing commitment to innovation.
The project was supported by a $250,000 Pennsylvania First grant and engaged numerous local contractors and suppliers, generating millions in regional economic activity and further expanding the local tax base – reinforcing the company’s nearly $50 million local investment over the past decade.
Jan Wessel, EAM-Mosca’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, was in attendance to accept the award on behalf of the company.
Program of the Year: Student Action Committee
The Economic Development Program of the Year was awarded to the CAN DO Student Action Committee (SAC), a long-standing initiative that prepares local high school students for future leadership roles through workforce readiness and community engagement.
SAC members serve as non-voting members of the CAN DO Board of Directors and participate in monthly workshops focused on public speaking, project management, team building, and career preparation. They also tour local businesses and industries, meet with regional employers, and learn about career opportunities throughout Greater Hazleton.
In addition to these educational experiences, SAC students plan and execute several community events each year, including Operation: CAN DO, CAN DO Community Christmas, CAN DO Community Park Tree Lighting, and Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress’ Wassailfest & Downtown Hazleton Night Market.
Marketing Innovation: Rebrand Rollout
Finally, CAN DO received the Economic Development Marketing Innovation award for its recent completion of an organizational rebrand, which introduced a bold new visual identity. The new brand reflects CAN DO’s evolution as an organization and its role in economic and industrial real estate development.
The rebrand, which included a logo refresh by Dekka Studios in 2021, embraced organizational storytelling, while finding a modern, authentic way to communicate the work CAN DO does.
As part of the rollout, CAN DO launched a new website in collaboration with Posture Interactive that is user-friendly, easier to navigate, and fully showcases the organization’s services. This created a cohesive experience across digital and print platforms, making it easier for partners, businesses, and the public to engage with the organization while recognizing its signature look from afar.
Joey Zarcone, Vice President of Posture Interactive, joined CAN DO leadership at the conference to accept the award. Jocelyn Sterenchock, CAN DO’s Director of Economic Development, expressed appreciation for Posture’s partnership and their creative approach to bringing CAN DO’s brand to life through compelling visual storytelling.
In addition to the awards, Mrs. Sterenchock, participated in a panel on entrepreneurship with regional partners, sharing insight on fostering a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
“We’re incredibly proud to have been recognized across three key categories this year,” Sterenchock said. “Each of these initiatives reflects the work we do to accomplish our mission. We’re grateful to PEDA for this recognition and to the community partners who help bring these efforts to life.”
For more information about CAN DO and its award-winning programs, contact Ana Perez, CAN DO Program Coordinator, at aperez@hazletoncando.com.
