It’s only been a year since Florida-based Tech Packaging, Inc. launched a contract packaging operation in Humboldt Industrial Park, Hazle Township, and the company is already nearing 100 percent capacity, said Bob Janes, the company’s founder and president.

Tech Packaging was looking for the correct geography when selecting a site for its new facility. They wanted a site that was within a 50-mile radius from their existing facility in Berwick, PA. With this in mind, Tech Packaging’s national real estate consultant, Cresa, searched different areas of Pennsylvania and New York, ultimately recommending Humboldt Industrial Park.

Matthew Marshall, senior vice president of Cresa’s Philadelphia office, said Humboldt Industrial Park was chosen for several reasons. Taking into consideration all the sites that were an option, Cresa and Tech Packaging were most specifically looking for a site that would meet Tech Packaging’s building specifications, employment demands and delivery date.

Tech Packaging chose a site developed by Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services and had them construct a 223,000 square feet building. Janes said the site has room to expand the building up to 382,000 square feet. This fact made the location more desirable.

The site is also approved for Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZ) tax credits. It maintains its KOZ status until 2017. Marshall said the KOZ status played a key role in their decision to choose Humboldt Industrial Park. CAN DO was very helpful in serving as a liaison between the Governor’s Action Team, Cresa and Tech Packaging, Marshall said.

Speaking about working with CAN DO on the project, Marshall said, “CAN DO is one of the most professional and organized economic development organizations in the United States. They are very thorough.”

Marshall is optimistic about the outlook of the region. He said, “Northeastern Pennsylvania, especially Luzerne County, has become very well positioned to capture a lot of manufacturing and distribution related projects and jobs.”