Congratulations to our 2022 Business and Community Awards Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce 2022 Business and Community Awards!

Seated, left to right:  Jan Wessel, CFO for EAM-Mosca, winner of Large Business of the Year Award; Tommy Tyler, Distribution Manager for AutoZone, Inc., winner of Healthy Workplace of the Year Award; Gregg Pavlick, NEPA Vice President for Barry Isett & Associates, Inc., winner of Small Business of the Year Award; Lani Drobnock, MMI, winner of Volunteer of the Year Award in memory of Rocco Colangelo Senior and Junior;  Lisa-Marie Halecky, current President of the Hazleton Rotary, winner of Charitable Organization of the Year Award; Jordan Darosh, Production Manager for Muzo, winner of Pride of Place Award; Sarah Wech, winner of the 2022 Women’ s Empowerment Grant;  and Omar Alacantara, owner of Tabla Supply, winner of Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Standing, left to right: Senator David Argall; Katie Kemmerer, Community Affairs Regional Manager of NEPA for Highmark, sponsor of the Large Business of the Year Award;  Terry Purcell, President of Northwest Region for Lehigh Valley Health Network, sponsor of the Healthy Workplace of the Year Award; Tina Bearden, External Client Care Coordinator for Comfort Keepers, sponsor of the Small Business of the Year Award;  Kathie Oh, owner of Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center Hazleton, sponsor of the Volunteer of the Year Award; Leann Fallabel, VP of Marketing for Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, event coordinator and representing the Hayden Power Group who sponsored the Charitable Organization of the Year Award; Neal DeAngelo, III of Tri Mountain Ventures who sponsored the Pride of Place Award; Jessica  Spare of Luzerne Bank representing GHCC Women’s Networking Committee for Women’s Empowerment Grant;  John Dorneman, Community Bank and Award Luncheon Sponsor; and Nicco Makuta, Business Financing  Entrepreneurship Specialist for CAN DO, sponsor the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Pulitzer-Prize Winner Gary Rivlin Will Visit Hazleton Tuesday for Saving Main Street Book Launch

Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Gary Rivlin will visit Hazleton on Tuesday, October 25, for a special event celebrating the launch of his book Saving Main Street: Small Business in the Time of COVID-19. The Chamber will host a networking mixer and book launch from 5-7 p.m. at the Hazleton Area Public Library, 55 N. Church Street.

Rivlin, who is a veteran journalist, spent nearly two years in the heart of America, closely tracking a small group of business owners and their employees, documenting their struggles and strategies to survive. He visited Hazleton in-person and through Zoom on many occasions during the pandemic. His book, which was released via Harper Business on October 18, features three communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania and includes the incredible stories of six members of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, including Fellin Jewelers, Hazle Drugs, Jimmy's Hot Dog, The Poppy Press, Smith Floral and Vilma's Hair Salon.

The book shares the stories of small business owners fighting to keep their businesses alive through COVID-19, while exploring the sweeping trends and government policies that had brought small businesses to the breaking point long before the coronavirus hit.

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Winners Announced for Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Business & Community Awards

The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of their Annual 2022 Business and Community Awards. In an attempt to help promote October as “Chamber of Commerce” month, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce will hold a special awards luncheon, sponsored by Community Bank, NA, to recognize the winners of the awards. The luncheon will take place on Thursday, October 27^th at 11:45 am at The Pines Eatery & Spirits in Downtown Hazleton. The cost of the luncheon is $30 per person. Reservations are required by Monday, October 24^th by registering online, calling the Chamber at 455-1509 or emailing .

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Chamber Networking Mixer Slated for Tomorrow

Reservations are open for the Chamber’s networking mixer tomorrow, Wednesday, October 5^th from 5 pm to 7 pm at Providence Place Senior Living 149 S. Hunter Highway, Route 309 in Drums. All Chamber members, their guests, employees, and co-workers, are invited to attend. There is no fee, however reservations are required.

Chamber members, employees, co-workers & guests are invited to enjoy a casual, after-hours event, networking with the business community of Greater Hazleton Chamber!

Meet the team at Providence Place Senior Living, hear about their services, take a tour and enjoy a delectable menu they have planned for you which feature a main course, dessert and a specialty drink.

Everyone is encouraged to bring along their business cards to distribute to their fellow Chamber members. And a doorprize drawing will also take place.

As stated, reservations are required. You may register on the online Chamber Calendar of Events at www.hazletonchamber.org, contact the Chamber office at 570.455.1509 or .

Pictured in the photo from Providence Place Senior Living from the left is Kristen Adams, Stephanie Miller and Kim Perchak.