Lycoming News

HARRISBURG – A state grant of $2 million and a low-interest loan of $3 million were awarded to CAN DO, Inc. and Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services to develop the Crossroads East Business Park on mine-scarred land in Hazle Township, according to Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) and Rep. Dane Watro (R-116).

“Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services is a long-standing partner of our ongoing efforts to foster economic development across Greater Hazleton, and we are proud to support the pivotal role they play in enhancing our community through projects like the Crossroads East Business Park,” said Joseph Lettiere, President & CEO of CAN DO, Inc. “Private development projects such as these directly assist in accomplishing our mission to improve the quality of life in the Greater Hazleton Area through the creation and retention of a full range of employment opportunities and exemplify Mericle’s unwavering, decades-long commitment to driving economic growth in our community.”

“Effective public-private partnerships like this for shared infrastructure investment can help transform a local economy,” said Mericle President Rob Mericle. “Our team will construct a mix of industrial and flex buildings in CrossRoads that will help us attract a variety of manufacturing, life sciences, logistics, and business services companies that will create thousands of new jobs for the region and generate millions of dollars in new capital investment. We greatly appreciate the support we have received from Sen. Argall, Rep. Watro, Rep. Cabell, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to accelerate economic growth throughout the Greater Hazleton area.”

The proposed business park will be located on State Route 424 along Interstate 81 between exits 141 and 143. Phase 1 of the project will develop 190 acres of mine-scarred land at the site into ten buildings, which are estimated to create 700 jobs.

“Strong public-private partnerships have again brought new economic opportunities to the Greater Hazleton community and beyond,” said Argall. “I look forward to continuing this important work with CAN DO and the many other local leaders who have contributed to the economic resurgence of the region.”

“This funding is the exciting next step in the development of the Crossroads East Business Park and the hundreds of jobs it’s expected to create,” said Watro. “I was pleased to join Sen. Argall in advocating for this financial support from the state to continue growing our regional economy.”

This funding was awarded through the Business in Our Sites program, which helps ensure locations are “shovel-ready” for employers looking to set up shop in Pennsylvania. Funding was approved today during a public meeting of the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency that administers state programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.

CONTACT: Jim Brugger (Argall)

Andy Briggs (Watro)