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Hazleton Chamber of Commerce

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Latest Chamber News

Working together with local partners through the Recovery & Resiliency Task Force formed earlier this year, the Greater Hazleton Chamber announced that it was awarded more than $240,000 in grant funding from Luzerne County to undertake economic development initiatives designed to help small businesses recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and also spur the local economy. The funds are part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding the County received from the state, and complements other initiatives being undertaken by the Greater Wilkes Barre Chamber and its partners.

Chamber EvolveThe Greater Wilkes-Barre, Greater Hazleton, Greater Pittston, and Back Mountain Chambers of Commerce have launched a new economic development initiative called Project EVOLVE.  

Project EVOLVE is an initiative designed to identify solutions and align external innovation to assist local businesses as they adjust to, and thrive in, the new post-COVID economy. EVOLVE leverages the innovation, products, and services already located in Northeastern PA, as a means to provide cross-industry solutions to help businesses adapt to new methods of doing business.  

Project EVOLVE utilizes a systematic approach to identify COVID-generated challenges within the top ten industries in Northeast PA. These industries, chosen based upon the number of establishments and percentage of overall employment, are: health care and social assistance, retail trade, accommodation and food services, manufacturing , construction, transportation and warehousing, other services except public administration, wholesale trade, professional and technical services, and finance and insurance. By addressing one industry at a time, then leveraging the network and strength of local economic development partners, the Chambers will identify and deliver innovative solutions to help businesses “evolve” and thrive in the new, post-COVID business environment.

canceledAs a result of two Quaker City String Band members contracting COVID-19, the Funfest Parade has been canceled for Sunday.

Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce President Mary Malone said, “It is with a heavy heart that we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel the Funfest Parade. In an effort to keep the safety of the Funfest Committee members and Greater Hazleton residents, as well as that of the Quaker City String Band members, at the forefront of our minds, we feel this was the appropriate decision to make at this time. Our prayers and well wishes are with the members of the Quaker City String Band.”

Malone added, “We were only alerted to this development with the band on Friday afternoon. Although we did try to find alternate musical entertainment, as you can imagine, it was difficult on such short notice. However, the cancellation of the parade does not diminish our pride in what Funfest stands for in the Greater Hazleton community and our appreciation for our Hometown Heroes. On behalf of the Chamber and the Funfest Committee, I extend my deepest appreciation to the Funfest 2020 Hometown Hero Joseph Barna and all the nominees, as well as Mayor Jeff Cusat, Police Chief Brian Schoonmaker and the Hazleton Police Department members, Fire Department Chief Donald Leshko and the Hazleton Fire Department members, and the Hazleton City Council. Additionally, I’d like to extend our deep gratitude to our 2020 sponsors PPL, CAN DO, Standard-Speaker, Service Electric Cablevision, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Luzerne County Visitors Bureau.”

Anyone with questions can contact Mary Malone at or call 570-455-1509.

Hazleton Public Transit needs your input in developing their new transit development plan. The transit development plan will help guide transit improvements for the Greater Hazleton area for the next five years. The public has the opportunity to share their opinons through an online survey, online public meetings, and by visiting www.HPTTransitStudy.com for more information. For questions, please email .

Take the online survey at  www.HPTTransitStudy.com and share your experiences! The survey will be open through October 6, 2020.

The public is invited to attend online meetings on September 22, and November 10. Please register for the events at www.hpttransitstudy.com

To access the online survey, online public meeting registration, and general project information please visit www.hpttransitstudy.com.