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One S. Church Street, Suite 200, Hazleton, PA 18201 |
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CAN DO News
News and information about CAN DO for the community, investors, volunteers and board members.
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***Click here to view a list of items you can donate to Operation: CAN DO.***
The CAN DO Student Action Committee is seeking support from businesses and individuals across Greater Hazleton as it plans the 18th annual Operation: CAN DO drive.
Operation: CAN DO is an effort, in conjunction with the Freeland American Legion Post 473, that has its Student Action Committee members create care packages to send to those brave military service members with ties to Greater Hazleton who will be serving abroad during the holidays. The Student Action Committee, who spearheads this annual program with assistance from the Freeland American Legion Post 473, kicked off this year’s campaign by sending letters to area schools and businesses requesting goods or monetary donations for the care packages. The committee is also seeking the names and contact information of service members who would like to receive a package.
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CAN DO held its 15th annual Curb Appeal Awards Ceremony this past Thursday, September 22nd. The awards recognize tenants across its five business and industrial parks who dedicate time and attention to beautifying their property through landscaping and grounds maintenance.
At the event, co-chair and head judge of the Curb Appeal Awards, Sherri Homanko, announced American Eagle Outfitters as the overall winner during an industry mixer held at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Humboldt Station. For Curb Appeal judges Sherri Homanko, Pharm.D., Keri Nork, and James Dino, the entire American Eagle Outfitters facility embodied what it means to have Curb Appeal: pristine landscaping and beautiful flower displays (Vito’s Lawn Care), cohesive branding and signage throughout the property, an immaculately clean parking lot and entry space, and a stunning façade that elevates the building’s physical curb appeal.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
