    |
|
|
One S. Church Street, Suite 200, Hazleton, PA 18201 |
|
CAN DO News
News and information about CAN DO for the community, investors, volunteers and board members.
- Details
CAN DO, Inc. recently held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Arcadia Cold Storage and Logistics Facility in Hazle Township, Pennsylvania. The project, which consists of a 228,330 square-foot cold storage facility on 17+ acres in Humboldt North, was facilitated by Saxum Real Estate on behalf of Arcadia.
The future Arcadia facility at 300 Parkview Road is one of three sites recently purchased by Saxum within the Humboldt Industrial Park. With a capital investment totaling roughly $80 million, Saxum is committed to developing 450,000 square-feet of industrial space on 40+ acres within Greater Hazleton. The property is expected to be operational by Spring 2023 and will employ between 80 and 90 individuals from the local area with salaries for employment averaging around $50,000.
CAN DO’s introduction to Saxum began in 2020 and from that moment, CAN DO President and CEO Joseph Lettiere knew that Saxum’s interest in local real estate would be mutually beneficial.
- Details
To mark the 15th anniversary of its Curb Appeal Awards, CAN DO is revising the awards categories and adding new judging criteria to the competition.
The Curb Appeal Awards are presented each fall to tenants across CAN DO's five business and industrial parks who dedicate time and attention to beautifying their properties through landscaping and grounds maintenance.
Curb Appeal judges Sherri Homanko, PHARM D., Keri Nork, and James Dino will be circulating the parks to evaluate facilities beginning in July. In addition to being judged on First Impressions, Landscaping & Appeal, and Safety & Cleanliness, the new category of Creativity was added this year.
- Details
CAN DO, Inc. recently appointed Nico Makuta as its Business Financing Specialist.
In his role, Makuta will manage the planning, procurement, and administration of project driven grants and loans for the organization; assist businesses in the community to identify and procure financing opportunities; act as a liaison to employers through outreach to ensure Greater Hazleton’s continued economic development efforts; and coordinate with CAN BE to assist small businesses and start-ups with financing options and growth opportunities.
CAN DO President & CEO Joseph Lettiere said, “Nico will be a great asset for our CAN DO team. His enthusiasm for the community and interest in the mission of the organization stood out during our initial interview. That passion to make a difference, as well as Nico’s experience working directly with people and managing their needs, will play an integral role in CAN DO's continued efforts to assist businesses with obtaining the financing they need in order to create or retain high-quality, family-sustaining jobs in Greater Hazleton.”
- Details
CAN BE Innovation Center tenant, Ranek Technologies, as well as three Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences (HAAS) students were recently honored during the 20th annual tecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition award ceremony held at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre.
- Details
CAN DO partnered once again with students from the Hazleton Area High School Arts and Humanities Academy and Mural Club's Visual Arts Studio 3 for a painting project on the windows at CAN DO's property at 21-23 West Broad Street in Hazleton. Pictured are, from left: Anne Flowers, teacher/club advisor; Valerie Tirado; Fremely Peredes Torres; Lacy Curvey; and Aidalisa Diaz. CAN DO would like to thank the students for their dedication and sharing their talents with the community.
- Details
A collaboration between THInC partners CAN BE and the Hazleton Launchbox supported by Pasco Schaivo, Esq., as well as Penn State University’s Happy Valley LaunchBox, helped an entrepreneur grow her business from a literal seed into a reality.
After graduating from the Happy Valley LaunchBox, powered by PNC Bank’s FastTrack Accelerator program in the spring of 2021, Krista Schneider, founder of Shared Roots, landed the initial funding she needed to formally launch her business when she won the 19th annual tecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition non-collegiate competition.
At Shared Roots, Schneider takes waste products (spent grain and hops) from the Berwick Brewing Company and upcycles them into biodegradable garden squares made with recycled paper that are pre-seeded and ready to plant. As they decompose, they feed the soil with vital nutrients and organic matter while fending off weeds until the seeds germinate.
- Details
When Lindsey Barnes decided to turn her sweet idea for a business into a reality, she found the support she needed to launch her operation through The Hazleton Innovation Collaborative (THInC) and the Hazleton Kitchen Incubator.
As with many start-up entrepreneurs, Barnes began L&B's Sweet Treats, which makes a variety of hand-dipped chocolate confections, at the request of family and friends who were looking for desserts for their special occasions.
In fact, Barnes said she initially got the idea for the business while planning her wedding. The unexpected free time she had during the COVID-19 pandemic helped her launch the operation.
- Details
CAN DO’s Student Action Committee will hold its inaugural CAN DO Community Park Tree Lighting ceremony on Friday, December 3, at 5 p.m. in the park located at the corner of Broad and Laurel streets in Downtown Hazleton.
The event, which will be held during Downtown Hazleton First Friday, is open to the public and will include a complementary hot chocolate bar, courtesy of Milkhouse Creamery, throughout the event.
The evening will begin with Santa and Mrs. Claus lighting the tree followed by featured performances from Keystone Ballet Academy's Sugar Plum Fairy and ballet dancers followed by the Olde Towne Carolers.
Those in attendance can have their photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as the Sugar Plum Fairy, who will be located within The Hub at 13-15 W. Broad Street
- Details
CAN DO’s Student Action Committee will ring in the holiday season with the the 28th annual CAN DO Community Christmas on Wednesday, December 1, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church on the corner of Church and Green streets in Downtown Hazleton.
The public is invited to attend this free event, which features a night of musical entertainment by various instrumental and choral groups from schools throughout the Hazleton Area School District. In keeping with Christ Lutheran Church's safety guidelines, all attendees must wear masks during the event.
- Details
Global nutraceutical manufacturer, Amapharm LLC, announced plans to locate its first American facility within the CAN DO Corporate Center in Drums.
Amapharm, which was founded by Wolfgang Marks in 1977, launched the world's first vitamin gummy for children in 1996 and later introduced the world's first vitaminized jellybeans, toffees, and fruit bites. The company has decades of expert knowledge in the nutraceutical industry and currently distributes products in more than 75 countries.
The multivitamin and supplement manufacturer will occupy a 43,500-foot building being constructed by CAN DO. Construction is expected to begin within the next two weeks and the company intends to be operational by fall of 2022. Once fully operational, Amapharm plans to create between 50 and 100 jobs.
CAN DO President & CEO Joseph Lettiere said, “Having an international nutraceutical manufacturer locating to the CAN DO Corporate Center is a significant project for the community and an important tenant to add to our world-class business park. Amapharm could have located anywhere in the United States but they chose our Corporate Center.”
