News and information about CAN DO for the community, investors, volunteers and board members.
CAN DO continues to build a talented and dedicated team of different experiences and backgrounds in order to support its efforts in fostering economic development and community growth in the Greater Hazleton area. This summer, the CAN DO staff is joined by Ryan Tolan, a senior from the University of Scranton studying Business Administration and Finance.
Who are you and where are you from?
My name is Ryan Tolan and I am from Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
What inspired you to study Finance at the University of Scranton?
All of my life I have been very good with numbers, and one day I thought to myself, “why not use this ability for something real?” So, I enrolled in some Finance classes after declaring my minor, and I really enjoyed them.
The Curb Appeal Awards are presented each fall to tenants across CAN DO's four 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 and James Dino, will be circulating the parks to evaluate facilities throughout July. In addition to being judged on first impressions, landscaping & appeal, and safety & cleanliness, industries will also be evaluated on creativity, a category that was introduced in 2022.
CAN DO, Greater Hazleton's leading economic development organization, hosted its highly anticipated Annual Dinner event on Tuesday, June 13th, at Capriotti's Palazzo in McAdoo Industrial Park – located in Banks Township. The evening was one of celebration, networking, and recognition of outstanding individuals and organizations that have contributed to the remarkable success of the Greater Hazleton community throughout the year.
This year’s dinner focused on fostering connections and networking opportunities rather than a traditional sit-down-styled event. Attendees were encouraged to leisurely explore the venue, eat at their own discretion, and connect with other guests. Students from the Hazleton Area Jazz Ensemble provided musical entertainment for the evening followed by a concise year-in-review program presented at the end of the night.
W. Kevin O’Donnell has been synonymous with CAN DO for almost 50 years. His passion and commitment to the organization was unwavering as he dedicated his life to serving the community and making a difference in the lives of so many. Notably, Kevin’s mastery of economic development was unmatched as Kevin was highly respected throughout economic development circles, not just in Hazleton or Northeastern Pennsylvania, but across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a whole.
Kevin’s tenure with CAN DO spanned for more than four and a half decades. He joined the organization as the second hired employee in 1973 – serving as the Assistant Director - under then Executive Director Joseph Yenchko. During his initial year with the organization, Kevin led the development of the area’s first synthetic fuels plant, the CAN DO Coal Gasification Facility, in 1974. In 1984, Kevin was promoted to the position of Executive Director, a title that in 1995 was changed to President & CEO, until his retirement in 2020. Kevin was one of the incorporators of the CAN DO Community Foundation, and the driving force behind the formation of the CAN BE (Community Association for New Business Entrepreneurship) Innovation Center – which encourages entrepreneurship through the launch of new businesses within the Greater Hazleton Area.
Greater Hazleton CAN DO partnered with Johnson College to address the area’s growing educational, economic, and industrial needs. Together, they are spearheading plans to introduce the college’s first-ever satellite campus, Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center, located in Hazleton’s Humboldt Industrial Park.
CAN DO staff members Evan McKenzie, Water Utility Specialist, and Daniel Bove, Wastewater Utility Specialist, recently passed their water and wastewater operator certification exams, which puts them on track to earn their Operator Certification within the coming months. To be eligible, McKenzie and Bove needed to meet all education requirements, pass the necessary examinations, and meet the operating experience requirements.
CAN DO invites members of the community to ring in the holiday season with the City of Hazleton and its partners for a combined Holiday Celebration on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at City Hall Block – 40 N. Church Street, from 4 to 9 PM.
CAN DO is collaborating with the Mayor’s Office, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress (DHAP), Hazleton Parks and Recreation, and the Hazleton Public Library to bring ‘The City of Hazleton’s Holiday Celebration’ to life. This family-friendly event will be an evening full of holiday cheer for all Greater Hazleton Area community members and their families.
CAN DO’s Student Action Committee will hold its second annual CAN DO Community Park Tree Lighting ceremony on Friday, December 2, at 4:30 p.m. in the park located at the corner of N. Broad and Laurel streets in Downtown Hazleton.
The event, which will take place during Downtown Hazleton First Friday, is open to the public and will begin with performances from the Olde Towne Carolers followed by Santa and Mrs. Claus lighting the tree. Keystone Ballet Academy will close the festivities around 6:00 p.m. with a dance performance from the Sugar Plum Fairy and ballet dancers – allowing plenty of time for community members to participate in Downtown Hazleton’s First Friday events.
Those in attendance can have their photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, visit Santa’s reindeer, as well as meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, who will be located within the Hub at 13-15 W. Broad Street.
CAN DO, Inc. has announced the recent promotion of two staff members: Raiana Nichols as Director of Utilities and Cody Wood as Director of Construction and Facilities.
The CAN DO Student Action Committee concluded its 18th Annual Operation: CAN DO drive with the delivery of dozens of donated items to the Freeland American Legion Post 473.
Operation: CAN DO, which kicked off in early October, is a joint effort between the Freeland American Legion Post 473 and CAN DO’s Student Action Committee to create care packages that will then be sent to brave military service members, with ties to Greater Hazleton, who will be serving away from home during the holidays. This year’s drive was led by committee members and special event co-chairs Lachlan Segedy, Marian High School Junior, Rebecca Boyle, Marian High School Senior, and John Schwear III, MMI Senior.