CAN DO Greater Hazleton recently welcomed U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner for a discussion focused on Qualified Opportunity Zones and their role in supporting long-term economic growth.
Hosted by Congressman Rob Bresnahan, Jr., the visit brought together federal, state, regional, and local leaders to discuss how Opportunity Zones have supported private investment throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania and how the next generation of designations can continue strengthening communities prepared for future investment.
The visit was held at CrossRoads East, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Service’s industrial development along State Route 424, where Secretary Turner received a project overview before joining a regional roundtable coordinated by CAN DO. Representatives from economic development organizations, municipal governments, chambers of commerce, and the private sector discussed the role Opportunity Zones have played in supporting investment across the region and the importance of maintaining competitive economic development tools as Pennsylvania prepares its next Opportunity Zone map.
As Greater Hazleton’s economic development organization, CAN DO convened the discussion to ensure local and regional perspectives help inform the Commonwealth’s next generation of Opportunity Zone designations. CrossRoads East provided a practical example of how Opportunity Zone designation, when combined with site readiness, infrastructure investment, and long-term planning, can help advance large-scale private development.
Qualified Opportunity Zones are federally designated census tracts where investors may qualify for federal tax incentives by reinvesting eligible capital gains into long-term development projects through Qualified Opportunity Funds. For communities like Greater Hazleton, they represent another economic development tool that can help attract private investment alongside site readiness, infrastructure investment, workforce development, and strong public-private partnerships.
Pennsylvania is currently developing recommendations for its next Opportunity Zone map (OZ 2.0), with new designations scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. That process will determine which census tracts qualify for the federal incentive during the next designation cycle.
Opportunity Zones in Greater Hazleton
Greater Hazleton is currently home to several federally designated Qualified Opportunity Zones located within the City of Hazleton, the Borough of West Hazleton, and Hazle Township. These areas include portions of the Interstate 81 industrial corridor, established industrial parks, commercial districts, and downtowns positioned for continued investment and redevelopment.
As Pennsylvania develops its next Opportunity Zone map, CAN DO will continue working with local, regional, state, and federal partners to advocate for designations that strengthen Greater Hazleton’s competitiveness and support continued private investment throughout the region.
Explore Greater Hazleton’s current Qualified Opportunity Zones using the interactive map below.
For more information about Qualified Opportunity Zones, industrial development opportunities, or available sites in Greater Hazleton, contact CAN DO Director of Economic Development Jocelyn Sterenchock at (570) 455-1508 or jsterenchock@hazletoncando.com.
About CAN DO
CAN DO, Inc. is Greater Hazleton’s certified economic development organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Hazleton Area through the creation and retention of a full range of employment opportunities. Since 1956, CAN DO has played a leading role in advancing economic growth and investment throughout the region.
Today, CAN DO supports businesses, entrepreneurs, educational institutions, and community partners through real estate development, business financing, entrepreneurial assistance, workforce development initiatives, and strategic community investments.
Through the development and management of four business and industrial parks, CAN DO has helped attract more than 30,000 jobs to the region while continuing to advance projects and programs that strengthen the area’s long-term economic competitiveness.
For more information, visit hazletoncando.com.
