(September 18, 2014) – For the seventh consecutive year, CAN DO, Greater Hazleton’s economic development agency, presented its Curb Appeal Awards to industrial park tenants who have beautified and maintained the visual appeal of their properties.

The awards were presented to companies in Humboldt, Humboldt North, McAdoo and Valmont industrial parks and the CAN DO Corporate Center during an industry mixer held Thursday at Residence Inn by Marriott in Humboldt Station.

“The Curb Appeal Awards program was established to recognize these companies for the efforts they make in beautifying their properties. We want to recognize them for creating and maintaining the attractiveness of their facilities,” CAN DO President Kevin O’Donnell said.

CAN DO Chairman of the Board Lew Dryfoos thanked Curb Appeal Awards Committee co-chairs Lonnie Polli and Gary Danish, saying, “Lonnie and Gary have put a great deal of effort into ensuring a successful Curb Appeal program each year. They visit each of the companies in all the parks to assess their curb appeal, which is a big time commitment. On behalf of CAN DO and Greater Hazleton, I’d like to extend our gratitude to Lonnie and Gary.”

Polli said, “It’s an honor to have companies in our area that truly care about the everyday representation they are making to their employees and to the Greater Hazleton community. Their actions promote the betterment of the parks and the overall business climate in the Hazleton area, as these companies can take pride in what they have accomplished.”

The Curb Appeal Award plaques were presented in the categories of companies with 1 to 75 employees in their local facility; companies with more than 75 employees; Commercial Service; and Commercial – Hotels, Restaurants, Retail.

Recipients in the 1-to-75-employee category are: First Quality Nonwovens office, Humboldt Industrial Park; Karchner’s location at 425 Jaycee Drive, Valmont Industrial Park; New Global Marketing, CAN DO Corporate Center; and PSI Containers, Inc., McAdoo Industrial Park. Meadow Burke, also in Humboldt Park, received an honorable mention.

Recipients in the more-than-75-employee category are: TAB.com, Humboldt Industrial Park; Gonnella Frozen Products, Humboldt Industrial Park North; Fabri-Kal Corporation, Valmont Industrial Park; and Network Solutions, CAN DO Corporate Center. Cargill, Humboldt West, received an honorable mention.

The Commercial Service Award recipient is the Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences in the CAN DO Corporate Center, and the winner in the Commercial – Hotels, Restaurants, Retail category is Residence Inn by Marriott in Humboldt Station.

The Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences was named the overall winner, receiving the top award in the program.

Danish said, “The Hazleton Area School District has ensured the landscaping and general exterior at the Academy of Sciences look great. Although the academy has only been open for a little over a year, it’s already obvious that it is an excellent complement to the CAN DO Corporate Center.”

Committee members encouraged companies in CAN DO’s industrial parks to begin reviewing their facility’s curb appeal in advance of next year’s awards.

The other members of the Curb Appeal Mixer Planning Committee are Dorothy Anderson, Charlie Burkhardt, Elaine Judd, Catherine Sachs and Nancy Stasko, all members of the CAN DO Community Relations Committee.

Residence Inn by Marriott was the mixer sponsor. Additional sponsors were T. Verrastro Beverage Co., Arc Electric, Eddie’s Lawn Care, Gottstein Contracting, NEPA Manufacturers and Employers Association, Nause Landscaping, Tootsie Roll Industries and Larry Walko Landscaping.

“We want to thank all our sponsors, especially the Residence Inn by Marriott. We appreciate their commitment to the Curb Appeal Awards program and to business relations in Greater Hazleton,” O’Donnell said.